Happy New Year! Yes, I know it is only December, but it is the beginning of the new year in the church calendar. Last Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent which marks the beginning of a new year in the church. So what exactly is Advent? The Oxford English Dictionary defines advent as, “the coming or arrival of any person or thing considered significant”. In the Christian church, it is celebrated as the four weeks preceding the celebration of Christmas. It is a time to reflect and remember about the miracle that was Christ’s birth. It is also a time to think about the glorious day of Christ’s coming again.

I want to take a moment to step aside from the church calendar and think about what December means in our culture today. December can be one of the busiest times of the year for most people, and I will be the first to say that I am guilty of filling up my calendar with ALL the events! It seems as if Thanksgiving begins the marathon (or shall I say race!) that will last until January 1. As a church musician, I play for two Sunday services, two Wednesday services and accompany two different choirs. This particular year, I also have three weddings I am playing for in the month of December. I will have three Christmas services as well as a New Year’s Eve service and a special ordination service.

In the midst of all of this, I still have to manage to homeschool my daughter, run my business, help my daughter sell Girl Scout cookies, make sure that all the presents are bought and wrapped, and make sure everyone’s favorite treats are baked. And don’t forget the many parties and get togethers all month long!

This seems like so much, and every year the list seems to get longer; however, there is truly something special about this time of year though that makes it all seem worthwhile. As an adult, I have come to the realization that I truly enjoy giving more than I do receiving. The smile on a loved one’s face when they open that special gift, or eat their favorite Christmas cookies is all I need. Just those subtle reminders that they are loved.

Unfortunately, I am also reminded about the harsh and fragile world that we live in. Although the holidays are a joyous time for most, there are also many who are suffering loss and hardship during this time of year. This particularly hit hard this past week with the sudden loss of a former coworker who left behind many grieving family and friends.

When we suffer loss, especially at this time of year, it is hard to find that joy of Christmas. And it doesn’t have to be loss through death. Sometimes we are just going through a rough patch of life. Maybe we are dealing with illness, or the loss of a job or relationship. Whatever it is, it hangs like a cloud of gloom over us. We even feel guilty sometimes that we are not happy at Christmas. It’s just like Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas. We sometimes go through all the motions, but we have trouble feeling the joy and happiness that we know the season should bring.

I think Linus said it best when he quotes Luke 2:8-14 in his Christmas speech:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

That’s what Christmas is all about!

So let us now turn to the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ! When we think of the story of the birth of Jesus, most of us can tell it by heart. We know all about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wisemen (who actually arrived months after Jesus’ birth!), but do we know about all the prophecies and events leading up to the arrival of Jesus on Earth? I wish I had enough room here to talk about them all, but we would be here all day!

This year, my daughter and I have been reading a book called The Prophet, The Shepherd & The Star by Jenny L. Cote. We found this book quite by accident because it was on the recommended reading list for our school curriculum. Actually, I’m sure it was not an accident because I know the Lord has a reason for everything! The book takes the reader on a journey through the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel and up to the birth of Jesus with the help of several fun-loving animal friends who all play a part in the fulfillment of the Biblical prophecy.

Cote does a wonderful job of intertwining historical facts with fiction to really make the story come alive and the reader feel as though they are immersed in the world. It is a children’s book, but I think I may be enjoying reading it more than my daughter, although she is really loving it as well! This has been the best part of our day to sit down in the evening and relax and read a chapter in the book. (I have put a link to the book at the end of the blog.)

When you really dig deeper into the story of the birth of Jesus, you can’t help to think about what all the other people involved had to go through, especially Mary. We see the perfect picture of Mary and Joseph in the manger with Jesus on our Christmas cards and nativity scenes, but what Mary went through was far from peaceful. It was common practice at that time in history to scorn and even stone to death a woman who was guilty of adultery, which is what most people probably accused Mary of doing. The mere fact that Mary became pregnant before marrying Joseph put her life in grave danger. She also risked the possibility of being disowned by her family and Joseph, and in those times, being a single mother did not have good odds of survival.

God worked miracles, however, through all the people involved. He sent his angel Gabriel to speak to Joseph to help him understand what was truly happening. He protected Mary and Joseph throughout the whole journey. Even when the evil King Herod tried to have Jesus killed, God protected them by allowing them to escape to Egypt. I can’t even begin to imagine how unbelievably stressful that time was on the young mother of our Lord!

Despite the turmoil surrounding Jesus’ birth, it is a story full of miraculous wonder, awe and hope. Why did God choose to send his son into the world in this way? He could have sent him down in a thunderous cloud with an army of angels to escort him in a grand celebration, but instead he chose a quiet and humble birth.

That is because Jesus did not come to Earth to be an earthly king. He did not come here to wipe out all evil with one giant wave of his hand, although he could if he wanted to. Instead he came to be a servant. He came to be a lamb sacrificed for our sins. In order to accomplish all of this, he had to be born of humankind and live among us. If he was to give his life as a sacrifice for ours, he had to walk this earth the same way that we do.

So when you are getting caught up and overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I challenge you to do this. Close your eyes, and transport yourself back to that humble manger some 2000 years ago. Try to invoke all of your senses. Imagine the soft cooing of the animals and of the baby. Smell the fresh hay. Look outside into the clear night with all the stars shining so perfectly bright. Feel the soft touch of the baby’s skin. Imagine the joy of the new mother, Mary. Remember this moment because this moment was for all of us.

If you are struggling this year with grief and hardship, I challenge you to do this as well. You should not expect to force yourself to be joyous, and that is ok. Sometimes we need time to heal. But do remember this: that God sent you the best gift there ever could be in his son Jesus Christ. In him there is a promise of hope, forgiveness, love, joy and peace. In him is grace and a place with him in heaven. In him is hope and true joy.

I leave you with these words from the prophet Isaiah:

“There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:1-2, 6

Cling tight to these words. Hold on to the promise that we have through Jesus. Know that there is hope for a better day. Surround yourself with the love of God this season and every season of your life. Merry Christmas!

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