While writing my annual Christmas letter (which I will post later) I found myself writing, as usual, about MY kids, MY grandson, MY school, MY family, etc… and then started to put a note on the end about what I have truly enjoyed about this Christmas and realized that it just did not work! How do you write ‘umpteen’ paragraphs about ‘me’ and then say but Jesus… nope it just doesn’t work!
For some of you this will be a complete mystery, for others, you’ll know exactly where I’m coming from. My Christian heritage, was steeped in knowledge and a deep respect for Scripture, but when it came to Christmas it was a bit strange. While we loved the traditional songs, Silent Night, O Come all ye Faithful, etc…yet, you rarely heard them sung in church anytime from November to February… After all, Jesus probably wasn’t born on Christmas and he should be the focus of our lives everyday, not just on Christmas (and Easter)… I whole heartedly agree! But then, as the world celebrated Jesus we were focused on some other piece of Scripture. Sadly, I believe we missed many amazing truths and joys that can only be found in the manger!
In raising my family, things were not much different, while we talked about Jesus and learned the Scriptures in everything we did, Christmas was about Santa and cookies! When the children were little I found it stressful, but was worth it all to see that delighted look on their faces Christmas morning! However as they grew up, and weren’t so delighted about it all, it mainly became stressful… not enough time, not enough money and too many calories!!! Where was the “Joy” so many were celebrating?
This Christmas we found that wonder again as we celebrated ‘Advent.’
Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” It began on the forth Sunday before Christmas and it’s purpose is to focus on the first coming of Jesus, as a baby in the manger, while looking and anticipating the second ‘advent’ of Jesus when he returns.
The first Sunday of Advent we lit a purple candle symbolizing the humility of Christ and reflected on hope. Because Jesus left his throne in heaven, came to earth to die on the cross we can live in hope, instead of fear and distress. Knowing he will one day return and make all things right gives us freedom to live in anticipation no matter what the circumstances bring because we know that the pain and trials of this world are temporary.May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:12-13
“God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
The second Sunday in Advent reflects on Peace. We lit a second purple candle representing repentance and focused on the fact that Jesus is the source of peace in a troubled world.
“I bring you news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10
On the third Sunday a pink candle is lit. It represents the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. In the sermon this day, Pastor Steve, told a story of a Christian man who met with several leaders of other religions… Muslims, Hindu’s, Buddhist’s, etc… and just listened. After quite some time he said let me see if I have this right…. It’s like God is up on the top of a mountain and you must spend your life searching for the way to find him and reach him? The leaders thought, finally, a Christian who gets it! Then he asked them, what would happen if God himself came down the mountain to show you the way??? Their answer was how wonderful that would be, what joy that would bring. The gospel in a nut shell, our God came down the mountain to show us the way! That truly is “Joy to the World!”
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us…” I John 4: 9-10
The last Sunday before Christmas our thoughts were on Love. The last purple candle, representing royalty and our soon coming Sovereign King, is lit and we were reminded that God loved mankind so intensely that his Son came for us. We also focused on how we are to share that love with others. and I was reminded us that each gift (and the attitude in which I give it) is a reflection of God’s love in me… I must say that hurt a little.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” Isaiah 9:2
Finally, on Christmas Eve, we lit the white candle in the center, representing Jesus himself. For four weeks we lit candles and looked to the past advent of Jesus, and forward with expectation to the hope of deliverance for us and our world. On Christmas Eve we celebrated his coming as a baby in Bethlehem , his coming to live in us, and we celebrated the anticipation of his coming again.
Don’t worry, we’re not getting rid of Santa. You’ll still get the same thing from us next year (a late card, maybe some cookies, and a boring letter saying what we’ve been up to.) but there will be a difference… it will be served with a much bigger dose of what is Christmas is really about ….
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love… Jesus!
(and who knows, maybe it’ll even be on time…)
