Christmas is great! I am as excited as a little kid over all the things that get packed into December; special services at church, shopping for gifts, decorating the house and the tree, cooking big meals, going to parties, staying up too late, eating too much. Already I can feel the anticipation building over the arrival of the our sons and daughters and their tribes in seven days. I know that by January 1, I'll be spent, ready for a few gray days of winter and the usual slowdown after the holidays. I am determined, however, in the middle of all this excitement, that I will not forget why it's all happening.
Last night I enjoyed two hours that I know will be one of the highlights of the 2007 Christmas Season for me. The King's Brass performed at the Assembly, presenting a concert that was outstanding; world class, in fact. As they played a selection from Handel's Messiah, I wept, touched by the music that declared, "for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given!" After the concert, Phil, one of our church's elders, and I were chatting about how much we enjoyed the music when he made a statement that still echoes through my mind this morning- "and we know Who this was really for...." He is right! The brass ensemble's music, the preparations of our building to host them, the expenses involved were not for the audience in the pews. We did it to honor Jesus, the Christ! It was part of His celebration. Sure it was expensive and time consuming for all who were involved. It was just as it should have been, appropriate to celebrate the birth of our Savior and King!
Have fun this Christmas. Enjoy the garish decorations of tinsel and blinking lights. Listen to the songs of the Holiday - secular and sacred - joyfully. Buy gifts that are appropriate and affordable. Just do not forget the why of it all! Plan to attend worship services. Build 'down time' into your schedule, for prayer and reflection. "But, Jerry, you are adding to the long list of things I am already committed to doing in the next two weeks." Perhaps I am. My intent is not to add, but to encourage you to prioritize. Put first things, first. Wouldn't it be a sorry thing to announce a birthday party and not acknowledge the person who is the reason for it?
Millions will forget Jesus and make Christmas into a Santa holiday extravaganza. Don't be one of them. I do not have any issues with the whole "Santa Claus" deal. It's fun, but despite his ubiquity, he's not 'it!' The good news is old, yet new, news - "Jesus, the Savior, is born!"
It is all but impossible to come to the end of December without being weary, but if your efforts have a purpose, it's a good kind of tired. Engage yourself with others. Listen to the Spirit. Focus and then re-focus on the story of God becoming Flesh, a baby born in a manger who brought the Word to us. Ponder this passage prayerfully:
"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:9-14, NIV)
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Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains;
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be;
Which inspire your heav'nly song?
Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
See within a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heav'n and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
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