It's the time of the year again when the world is quiet and cold, at least where I live. The nights are long and the days are short and the world is silent. All of nature is asleep or somehow enduring the frigid winter. Life is harder during these winter months for all of creation. Both man and nature seem to have to contend with this darkness. I understand how this time of the year could inadvertently muster up feelings of sadness and despair in some folks. In winter we seem to have to endure more time alone because the cold has forced all of us to slow down. In this dark season when the sun is farther away from the earth, we are in a way forced to reflect on the things that may press hard on our hearts. When the days are short and it becomes dark so early, the mind also seems to cloud and become dark. During these colder months, one might believe, there are many reasons to be overcome with dread. So much darkness and cold and silence. And then strangely and almost comically, along comes a joyful celebration, Christmas! When all things are pointing to darkness, joy seems out of reach. Here comes Hope itself in the form of a beautiful baby. For some the season of Christmas may seemingly add insult to their hurt. And yes, Christmas, if celebrated as the world celebrates it is most definitely a painful celebration, because the world distorts the true gift of Christmas with its imitation of Christmas. This imitation that we might call commercialism. The problem with clouding Christmas in materialism is that it's unauthentic, like a distorted image of something that was once true and genuine, it never really satisfies or suffices for the original. Christmas cannot bring you into the satiable joy it longs to give, unless it is experienced for what Christmas truly is, the gift to all men for the Hope of eternal salvation. Whether one is a pagan or a devout Christian, Christmas is for everyone even if they do not accept it. God showed his unmatched love by, in the fullness of time sending his only Son Who became flesh in order to free every man from his slavery to sin. So no Christmas is not about giving or receiving. Nor, is it about family or friends or celebrations. All those things are special of course, and they are the appropriate response to the gift, but they are not the gift in itself. Christmas is the remarkable cloak that leaves no room for sadness or despair it only fills the heart full of gratitude and endless joy. Christmas is an all encompassing invitation to partake in the great Hope born into the world and that will never die, and this Hope, the infant, overcomes all suffering and pain with His gift of Himself. The tiny infant is the joy of Christmas and He comes for all mankind whether they be rich or poor or alone in this world or living amongst many. The true gift of Christmas is the promise from God of eternal salvation for all men brought by the Word, Jesus Christ made flesh, a babe, born in a trough. God became man to save man from his sins, and long ago in that silence and darkness over two thousand years ago appeared a great guiding star, Angels rejoiced and Kings fell to their knees. The true gift of Christmas was born in a smelly, cold stable. His light shines everywhere in every crevice and in every dark place. He dispels all darkness. He seeks out every soul and lavishes it with His gift of love. Christ is the light born into the world and He will never be snuffed out and He is our gift of unspeakable happiness and indescribable joy. The light of Christmas scatters any darkness or any sadness or pain and leaves only joy and thanksgiving. Christmas is not about doing anything because everything has already been done. Christ is born a man and the Angels rejoice and man's salvation is at hand! Joy floods every heart and all that is required is to respond to the joy! Do not look back to the old life of darkness, the one which is devoid of the babe in the manger. Begin now to live that wonderful gift that the Infant Child offers, which has been given to you and to all for Christmas...Joy never ending! The promise and Hope of eternal life! What joy it is to know God is with us on Christmas! Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Merry Christmas! 🙂