Christmastime is Here!

Christmastime is here! After months, and weeks, and days of waiting, Christmas has arrived. The lights have been strung across every tree limb and archway, the tree is trimmed with even more glittering ornaments than last year, and the halls are decked with holly and mistletoe. Everything is ready for the day we’ve all been waiting for. The smell of baking cookies fills the house and Burl Ives is playing on the radio. The excitement and anticipation is like an electric current in the air.

You’ve done all your shopping, braved the crowded lines and testy clerks to find the best sales. You’ve gotten gifts for all your friends, your aunts and uncles, parents and grandparents, cousins, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, your mailman, your children’s teachers, the bus driver, your coworkers, your boss, and don’t forget those jingle gifts for all the Christmas parties. You somehow managed to find those toys your children saw on TV, and, of course, you bought something special for your lovely spouse. You’ve spent hours wrapping and re-wrapping each one. Now your children are sprawled underneath the tree, peeking at nametags to see which is theirs.

Tomorrow you’ll be traveling to visit your family. Oh the memories Christmas always brings! The traditions of Christmas always seem to make the best memories. The wonderful meal, with turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course the pies. All the laughter and stories to tell… Decorating the Christmas tree together, baking cookies with the children, sled-riding and skating, caroling for the neighbors, waking up at the crack of dawn to open gifts. Christmastime is always a time to spend with family and friends, the ones you love the most.

It’s also a time to give. You’ve thoughtfully written Christmas cards for those you love, letting them know how much they mean to you. A “Merry Christmas” has been wished to all your friends, acquaintances, and even strangers passing by on the street. You’ve dropped extra change in the Salvation Army pots, offered a coat to someone without a home, given a toy to Toys for Tots, and donated canned food for the local food drive. The joy of Christmas is meant to be shared- in a note, a cheerful greeting, a gift, a blanket, or much needed food.

The manger scene in your living room catches your eye. Thousands of years ago, Mary and Joseph had been busy with preparations too. Only their preparations were different. They, and generations before them, had long been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Now they were making preparations for a baby, a baby who would one day be their salvation.

The Wise Men, too, had brought gifts. Only their gifts were not trinkets or toys advertised on TV. Their gifts were for a king, a king they had long been waiting for. This king would one day rule the world with peace and justice and would bring a new kingdom.

The memory of that day was always burned in the shepherd’s hearts. They had gathered that day to visit a baby, but that day would change their lives. No, they did not share a meal together, decorate a tree, or even sing carols. They came to worship their Lord, a Prince whom they had been waiting for to bring them joy and comfort.

The angels sang joyfully on this day as well, but not to announce a new season or spread cheerful greetings. They didn’t ring their bells asking for money to give to the poor. They came to announce a moment the world had been waiting for –the coming of their God. A God who gave up his throne in heaven and became a humble baby, to bring the world back into his warm embrace.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

What have you been waiting for this season? What does this child bring to you this year? Perhaps a friend in a time of loneliness, a comfort in a time of grief, an answer amidst doubt and questions, a strength to lean on, a light in the darkness, or maybe a joy to share.

Immanuel

This year the Advent services at my church are centered around the theme "What does Christmas mean to you?". Last Sunday was about the commercialization of Christmas and this Sunday was about spending time with family and friends. This year Christmas has seemed a bit different for me. It used to be more about making a "wish list" and decorating the house and getting together with family. It still is this year, I love decorating for Christmas (even though my apartment has yet to be decked) and all the beloved family traditions. But Christmas has been more this year. Christmas has been about caring more for others and giving them the joy of Christmas. I've often been given the opportunity to help others this year, even if in a small way. Even more so, this Christmas has been about waiting. I've often been reminded of Scripture fortelling the birth of Christ and the need to wait. So too must I wait for God to be present in areas of my life where I may have questions, or areas that seem rather dark right now. Sometimes being patient for Christ to be present can be as hard as a little child waiting to open the gifts under the tree. But the gift God promises is so much more glorious. Christ is coming soon!

What has Christmas meant for you this year?