There are so many reasons why Christmas is such a wonderful season to me. It is the whole package that comes with it - family friends, presents, food, holidays =)... all the good stuff in one significant period of the year. It is the beautiful memories that have accumulated thoughout the years that makes Christmas better every year. While all these things can be good, I have learned to appreciate Christmas in a much more simpler manner.
I find the "Christmas feeling"starts at the beginning of December where everyone starts to decorate their homes and work places with Christmas tree and lights, people going around shopping for the perfect present, mothers thinking about what to cook for family and friends. It is all busy and overwhelming. I sometimes wonder how much of all that commercialized concept of Christmas has managed to keep the true story of Christmas hidden inside a dusty bible at the corner of the bookshelf somewhere in somebody's home. I find it somewhat disturbing when we can put so much emphasis on something, and yet miss the whole point of doing it. Why is Christmas so important, when at the end of the day it is just another day of the year passed with much negligence?
I am thankful that Christmas isn't just another day for celebration. I am thankful that it is an event that means so much more that after more than 2000 years, it still gives hope to everyone who chooses to believe its story. For me the best Christmas goes way back in time when the only decoration was a manger full of haystack, the only presents given were gifts of gold, incense and myrrh, the only music played was the voices of angels singing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!", the only company was wise men and shepherds, and the only reason for celebration was the birth of a baby that blessed night.
I am reminded of two things every Christmas - Grace and Mercy. Mercy, that I am no longer condemned to hell, but redeemed and forgiven. Grace, that I so unworthily recieved the gift of salvation and eternal life with the one who created me. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote in his song 'Heaven in the Real World' - "...It happened one night with a tiny baby's birth. God heard creation crying and He sent heaven to earth". Heaven does not start at the end of life's journey, it began when Christ was born, the day grace and mercy found me.
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Truly how has the real meaning of Christmas distorted through time. Now in England it was probably accompanied by the big sales day that comes after it. Everywhere else, people probably associate it with Santa, gifts and opportunities to gather with family members. I sometimes wonder what would the Lord think if He were to walk this very earth today and see Christmas. We have totally missed the point! But amazingly and thankfully, God looks beyond that. Grace and mercy found the lost, those who needed Him. Amen!
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