Reading
Add Comment
I love Christmas.
Sparkling trees adorned with colorful objects, irresistible to tiny hands.
Village landscapes, glittering with freshly fallen fake snow, reminding us of Norman Rockwell paintings and inviting us to step in and enjoy a peaceful moment.
Fine china and crystal, cloth napkins and real silverware – a luxurious treat from the mismatched plates and plastic glasses of everyday use.
And all of some of the great family-friendly movies playing around the clock on Television…
I was watching one of those movies as I sat up all night with a sick child this week: The Town That Christmas Forgot. A family on their way to a resort for the holidays has car trouble and is stranded in a small town that is on the brink of extinction. The town folk have lost their livelihood {mining} and, along with that, they have lost hope. An X-mas talent show has been planned, but the mayor bans it, believing that there is no hope left for them so it is just a waste of time. His wife disregards him, continuing the talent show anyway. The visiting family gets involved, making it a big success and bringing hope back to the people! Falalalala-la-la-la-la.
At the end of the movie I felt dissatisfied.
Hollow.
Something was clearing lacking. How could a talent show bring JOY, HOPE, or PEACE? Where does Christmas Spirit come from, anyway?
Everyone talks about this special emotion that turns ordinarily self-centered people into giving and caring people - at least for once a year. The reason that Christmas Spirit is so celebrated is that it is a novelty, not common place. But what difference does it make if you are transformed only once a year?
Christmas Spirit does not come from the giving or receiving of gifts, talent shows with dancing elves, Santa Claus, or a date on the calendar. Christmas Spirit is what is born in our hearts when we receive the Gift that God offered – His son Jesus Christ, who took the punishment that we deserve for our sin – to die and be separated from the true and Living God, who made each of us and loves us with an everlasting love.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given… and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“For there is born to you this day…a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" verse 4
0 comments:
Post a Comment