The Christmas tree went up the day
after Thanksgiving, while our sons were still around to chop it down,
muscle it into position, and reach the higher branches with lights
and ornaments. A morning or so later I plugged it in before sitting
down with a first cup of coffee. It was still mostly dark outside,
the sun just creeping towards the horizon. But as I looked out the
window at the birds starting to come to the feeder outside, I
delighted to see the reflection of the lighted Christmas tree in the
glass of the deck door! Every morning after that I deliberately
plugged the tree in and looked for that reflection. I sensed that I
needed it somehow to make it through the day.
Many around us struggled with real life
issues this holiday season, be it a death in the family, a financial
crisis or some sort, or a serious or extended illness. Some were
tempted to just skip the celebration this year – to avoid the work
and the stress, maybe jump into it again next year when they were
feeling better or more in the spirit of things. But there's wisdom
in the lyrics of a song that have been dancing around my mind of
late. Truly we've “grown a little leaner, grown a little colder,
grown a little sadder, grown a little older. ...(we) need a little
Christmas now.”
We needed the joy and laughter
of visiting friends and family, especially when missing some of the
same. The lightheartedness of the season was good for those whose own
hearts were heavy. And singing along
to Christmas songs with excited kids brought needed smiles to
faces prone this year to frown. Especially when dark days are upon us
and we face difficult weeks ahead do we need a reminder of the
meaning of the season...the birth of a Savior Who came to give us
hope and salvation...tangible evidence of how very much our loving
Father cares about the difficulties we are going through. As I worked
my way through a crazy December, it was comforting to see the
reflection of the Christmas tree in my every busy action, a reminder
that God was with me (Immanuel!) and oh, so very near.
Lots of people put their Christmas
trees up early this year. I thought we did so just because our sons
were home to help. But maybe God wanted to remind us that His
Son had come to help... help us cope, give us hope, and change our
futures forever. And if the sight of a Christmas tree could deliver
that message, then so be it.
But let's not pack away God's glad
tidings with the ornaments and other decorations as we end this
season and get ready to jump into the next. I printed the picture of
the tree's reflection to paste inside the front cover of the new
journal I'll start on January 1st, where I will see it
each morning when I open the book...a reminder that God wants us to
carry on and continue strong. To do so, we simply need
a little Christmas...all year long.
“So then, we are
always full of good and hopeful and confident courage...”
(2 Corinthians 5:6 AMP)
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Nice reminder of the meaning of Christmas. Thanks!
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