Christmas. This word evokes emotions that run all over the map, from anger to giddy anticipation. Every year the Christmas season seems to sneak up on me, and every year I try to push aside my expectations, both good and bad. I long to press into what this time of year is all about, to redeem it for me and my family.
The month of December often brings much stress and strain. But Christ worshipers, of all people, should have a reason for genuine joy at the celebration of Christ’s birth. Christmas means Christ’s Mass or Feast Day. It is the traditional observance of Christ’s birth, His incarnation, God made flesh for all mankind. Christ is translated Messiah, or King. The King, the Messiah, the Savior is born, Christ has come. Not a king who sits on a throne to rule and reign with all of the temptations of earthly gain or ambition. We have seen far too many of these kings and their endings are never good. No, this King has not come for Himself, but as a gift for those He came to save. This is far different than what the retail world is selling! Have we put on the “impairment goggles” of this world? Are we seeing Christmas with a skewed vision?
Christians follow Christ and His life. Therefore, Christmas is a time where we can give just as Christ gave, and humbly worship unashamed and unrestrained. A miraculous birth, angels, priceless gifts, stars, and upsetting an empire are a few of the events surrounding Christmas. We too can be in awe of God breaking in on this crude earth and doing the miraculous. In fact the angels commanded those shepherds who were caught off their guard, or woken up, not to fear but to have great joy because of good news. The angels couldn’t help themselves and a little of their glory shone that night - the ultimate flash mob choir, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men!”
But we are not angels and we have no gold or frankincense. So, as Christina Rossetti once wondered, what can I give Him, poor as I am? We can give Him our Joy!
One of the most touching moments of giving joy away happened in a doctor’s examination room on Christmas Eve. When Liam was 8 years old he had the unfortunate luck of having to go see his urologist on December 24th. But to Liam this was one of the most wonderful things that could have ever happened. He said to me, “Mommy, I want to give something to people on Christmas Eve. What can I give?” And so, in my haste I grabbed a bag of mini candy canes and we began the treck up to A. I. Dupont Children’s Hospital. Liam filled his coat pockets with as many candy canes as he could and we walked against the cold wind into the hospital. Every nurse and receptionist was told “Merry Christmas! This is for you!” And at the end of his visit with his surgeon he said, “Merry Christmas, this is for you!” And do you know what I saw? I saw an old and distinguished gentleman bend down and look Liam in the eye as he received his mini candy cane with a big smile. “Thank you, this is the best Christmas present I have ever been given.” And he hugged him. Liam didn’t have a lot physically or even intellectually to give, but he had joy. And he gave it away in the form of a greeting and some cheap candy. I never forgot that interchange. One with very little giving to one who had much. Joy was received and given back in return.
So let this be a season of joy and joyful giving, not one of expectations unfulfilled. Joy in God and in His Christ - joy in the little things - joy in longing and awaiting what is to come - joy in hope for change - joy in memories of all that God has done. As we experience the joys of the season, let us be like C.S. Lewis and be one whose,“mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun.”
Come and be joyful along with me. Let us fight hard for joy this December, and worship Christ the newborn king in all that we do. Use the real dishes, go to the Christmas concerts and plays, make the real cocoa with whipped cream, go look at the lights, write cards, make a mess in the kitchen, take spontaneous walks, give plates of cookies away, pour the wine, sing loudly, keep spare candy canes - lots of them, and give more to the glory of God. Let your kids in on the joy of giving and let it eclipse the expectation of getting. Let us be in unrestrained awe of curses broken, of babies saved, of the ethereal, or dare I say, the magical. And may every gift of your heart give glory to God in the highest.
Living in the Joy of Christmas,
Your Fellow Sojourner
