Yesterday, as I was out and about between visitations and finishing projects at church, I overheard someone say, “This time of the year means nothing to me, I can’t wait for Christmas to be over.”
Could that be possible? Was I hearing this correctly? My favorite holiday and time of the year was in question? There was a sudden and deep sadness inside of me, mostly for that person and for others who may feel similar about “this time of the year.” I began to wonder just how many people think this way about Christmas.
During the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, and the jingling and ringing of bells, and the glimmering and shining of lights, there often is a sadness in people’s hearts. It exists in all of us, a loss that hurts deeply, a heart that is broken, a spirit that is weakened, a mind that is tainted, and a soul that is weary. It’s the jading effect of our humanity. Yet, thank God we have a solution to this. As I like to say, “There is always a solution for everything.”
Christmas is much more than the hustle and bustle of the season. “This time of year” is the birth of Jesus Christ. The time when God became man, so that we mortals could become like God, with Jesus as our bridge.
“This time of year” transforms our human limitations, imperfections, and jadedness.
Christmas is the birth of Salvation! It is the birth of Light! It is the birth of Hope! It is the birth of Life! It is the birth of renewal! The prophet Isaiah spoke about the transformation of our human frailty when he spoke about the foreshowing of the birth of Jesus Christ in this manner, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2
My prayer is that we open our hearts and minds to the miracle that took place “this time of the year” over 2,000 years ago in the city of Bethlehem, in order to bring restoration to our brokenness and weariness.
Let’s not wish Christmas is over, but rather proclaim it as the Light that overcomes any and all darkness in our lives and allows us to simply rejoice and celebrate the extraordinary birth, of that which is known to us as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas to all of you “this time of the year.”