Today is Christmas, 2017. Our family celebration was yesterday, Christmas Eve, so today all is quiet. For the first Christmas Day in my life, the tree is already bare of gifts, a few stray decorations lay on the floor beneath it and no extra family are expected to arrive. It sounds sad, but the memories of laughter and squeals of delight from the day before have become precious memories to enjoy over and over through the coming years. As I move through the quietness, enjoy a cup of coffee and look at the tree, all I wish for is this same peace and a truly merry Christmas for all.
For many, Christmas is not a joyous time, but one of loneliness and unhappy memories. Only those who know the One who came that we might have peace, joy and salvation will be able to realize what a merry Christmas really is…. Not lots of gifts, a gathering of relatives or anything else can bring us the joy one gets simply from knowing Him.
The first time I gave birth my mom was 1200 miles away in Texas and my husband and I living in Indiana. Though we kept in close contact, having her there would have been nice. I had no idea what to expect other than a lot of pain, the intensity of which I could have never imagined….but forgotten at the sight of our newborn….pink, wrinkled and healthy. I was in a hospital surrounded by nurses and doctors prepared for any emergency that might occur. Thankfully none did. As I sit here and remember, I can only imagine how Mary must have felt on that first Christmas morning when our Lord, Jesus, was born.
Mary and Joseph had taken shelter in a stable out behind an inn. All the rooms were filled with other travelers on their way to pay taxes as the government had demanded. Although disappointed when told that all the rooms were filled, how thankful Mary must have been just to find a place to rest The hard, cold floor of a stable covered with straw at least brought some relief to her aching body. This hardship along with the pain of childbirth during that night were soon forgotten I’m sure once she held the baby, our Lord Jesus, in her arms. Imagine the joy of knowing your child is not only yours but the Son of God! What a responsibility for a young girl to take on….but what a blessing to be chosen by God Himself to carry it out. Her emotions must have been overwhelming.
Every year we hear people say, “It just doesn’t feel like Christmas.” I think we all have our ideas of what Christmas is supposed to be like and remind ourselves of how it felt as a child. If only we could look at each year through the eyes of hope instead of looking back with yearning at Christmases past. Every day holds new joy and hope for those of us who know the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate. The gift of Jesus, His son, was God’s ultimate expression of His love for mankind and His promise of hope and salvation. This alone should bring joy to our hearts in spite of any circumstances we might face.
Some are homeless, hurting, have lost loved ones to death at this time and for them I pray an abundance of God’s grace in order for them to find the hope hidden in their despair. Christmas is always a time to be merry because of the prophesy preached by John the Baptist shortly before Jesus began His ministry in Luke 3: 5 and 6. “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Let us cling to this hope and remember His promise to never leave us or forsake us as we celebrate His birth on this Christmas Day. May all find peace in Him and may everyone have a truly merry Christmas!
