Christmas Reflections

With just a few days before Christmas, it seems almost impossible to think of anything except the holiday. Because of our culture, it’s a season of busyness. Decorations to be hung, cards to address, parties to attend, baking to do, presents to wrap… But as a Christian, I can’t help but believe this time of the year should also be a time of reflection. Not limited to reflections of Christmases past (a la A Christmas Carol) but also to reflect — at least for a moment — on what started this whole season to begin with.

Over the weekend I heard an actress mention that, because she was Jewish she only celebrated Christmas as a cultural holiday. She said she grew up with a tree and exchanged gifts, but her family wasn’t at all religious. Yet even from this she made the point of saying Christmas was still spiritual, even for her. I can’t help but believe it’s spiritual because of the underlying message we all hear at Christmas, at least if we listen to any of the older Christmas songs or watch any classics: that of sacrifice. You can’t listen to songs like Joy To The World or Silent Night without remembering Christ.

Perhaps because of the season my own life, reflection is coming easier this year. My father died several years ago, and my mother followed two years later. After my mother died, my Christmas family traditions changed. This is a common occurrence for people who’ve lost their parents around my age, and an underlying layer that adds to our grief: sure change is ahead. Parents are often the glue that holds an extended family together, and when that goes away we’re left with our immediate family. Nice, but smaller. Different.

And so as I slowly establish new traditions, remember but grieving some that are forever lost, it leaves a bit more room to turn my attention to what this season is supposed to be all about. Not Santa Claus, but about the Christ who gave up heaven to be born in a stable, the Christ who suffered rejection and a cruel death. Not so much the gifts I give or receive but the currency attached to another kind of gift that my pastor talked about at church this weekend: by being generous in ways that will glorify God.

So here’s my thought for the week: I pray the busyness of the season won’t drown out the truth of this season, that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son for us.

If you have a moment, look for Josh Groban singing O Holy Night, with scenes from The Nativity Story. Take a few minutes to reflect . . . and enjoy!

Merry Christmas!