As I plan my first day of my Christmas break from school, I’m excited to wrap presents, clean the house, light the pine scented candles, and bake some treats. First, I quickly glance at facebook, scan emails, the news is on in the background and the more I read, the more I listen…the more I become painfully aware of the sorrows, struggles, sickness, pain, death and brokenness that is right this minute enveloping those I love and those I don’t know in this broken world in which we live.
On Christmas morning, in many homes, including my own, there will be a magical joy of Christmas …the presents, the scrumptious smells, the foods, the lights, the laughter of children; while simultaneously people starve, die, and experience horrors that I cannot imagine. And this shakes my soul . I’m suddenly feeling so very selfish. Sure, I’ve sent money to charities, I’ve purchased and wrapped and given gifts to the Angel tree. I’ve prayed for others. But, it’s not enough.
I want my family, my children to experience joy, and magic on Christmas. I want to spend the time in my church worshiping joyfully and thanking our great creator for the gifts he has given me.
The moment Jesus was born must have been like that…There were those who were in his presence and those who heard the news that were celebrating, presenting him with gifts, and weeping with joy, and worshiping; yet, simultaneously pain, sorrow, and horrors abounded.
As I reflect on this, I realize nothing I can do will ever be enough. I cannot solve the problems of the world. That’s exactly what Christmas is about. Focusing on the one who can. We can’t ignore the hurts, poverty, pain…but, there is something we must do first. Worship and celebrate the precious gift our God gave us on that first Christmas day. In the midst of the tree, the lights, and Santa; we can make sure that he is in the forefront of our celebrations, that we rejoice in his presence. As the celebrations commence, we can continue to remember, and to pray for those who suffer…and commit ourselves to listen, so that when he calls us to do more, we will hear him.
Some Christmas Thoughts….
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