Christmas, in all of its twinkling glory, is a timeless holiday. Some of our core memories likely come from how our families celebrated, whether in the flavors of certain foods or flashes of sentimental decor at a relative’s house. As we age, we may even envision how we want to impress this season on our own children, gathering old and new traditions to share and pulling out dusty boxes from our own parents’ attics. As we grow old, the desire to make Christmas magical grows with us. As we encounter different or unexpected circumstances during the holiday season, the hope that Christmas will bring a reprieve never really fades.
Even when darkness closes in, we hope that Christmas’ light will shine on us once again.
And isn’t that the whole point? After all, Isaiah 9 tells us:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
—Isaiah 9:2
How many people, I wonder, have found comfort in this passage? The timeless truth of Scripture, the story of God coming to be the hope for an aching world, is the reason Christmas itself is timeless. Sure, the trappings of the holiday and our fond memories enrich the anticipation of Christmas for us (and that is a good thing). But what makes Christmas endure in our hearts is the soul-satisfying truth that Jesus is the great light we see in this land of deep darkness.
Even if you’ve had a great year with much to celebrate, there’s no escaping the realities of our broken world and its suffering. And maybe that thought, sobering as it is, doesn’t have to overwhelm us with despair; when we see the darkness of this world, it can instead remind us of the gift of our God who Himself steps into darkness to be our light. We can be overwhelmed with the hope, relief, and reassurance that God does not leave darkness as it is. He came to earth in a body of His own to relieve the world of its darkness. As a community, we are people who want to remind each other of this truth in belief, word, and deed. If we believe the truth that God came to earth to save us all, then we are compelled to share that good news whenever we can. And as we share this hope-filled message, we must care for one another with the same love and generosity Christ has extended to us. This is our heart and mission, not only for the good of our ministry, but for the glory of God for the wondrous work He has done.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, we hope whatever you bring into this day would remind you of the most timeless truth: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). Would each bustling moment remind you that He came to bring peace, and His peace is present with you. Would the aches of your heart remind you that God Himself came to bring hope and comfort to that painful place. Would each ornament and light and ribbon remind you of the beautiful, good news that Christ has come.
Merry Christmas to you all!
