A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

I have been thinking about Christmas a lot lately. Who knows why, it's not like the whole of the "Christmas Season" explodes in our faces through lights, music, parties, food, shopping, presents, and so on. My original thoughts were how I see Christmas differently than I did when I was younger. My parents and grandparents worked really hard the whole time cooking, baking, buying, working, and still trying to get us kids to see the real meaning of Christmas. Now that I am an adult and it's more or less up to me to do the work of celebrating, it doesn't seem as thrilling. I still love all the traditions, memories, and fellowship that come with this time of year. I can't help but wonder what the what has happened to Christmas. I so badly want to take a step back from the decor, cookie exchanges, gift giving out of love and/or guilt, endless parties with people you may or may not know or like, the blaring commercials trying to convince everyone that Christmas will suck if you don't get the one right present or a million presents, elf on the shelf (whatever that is about), and so on. Sorry for the huge long sentences.  I don't really see these things as evil, it's the fact that we make idols out of them and forget what Christmas is really about. How many times have you heard that phrase in a cheesy hallmark made for TV movie?

Ingrid loves Christmas
she loves to tear up paper

Anyways, what really got my brain synapses firing and my heart stirring came through a text message of a friend who works in the ICU here. We invited she and her husband to our annual Christmas dinner but she was on call that same night. She explained she probably wouldn't make it because their census was high due to the increased number of suicide attempts at this time of year. I had somewhat forgotten this sad fact since my patient population is a bit different this year. But it's true, underneath the illusion of perfect Christmas season, people are perhaps more lonely, sad, angry, lost, and hopeless this time of year. Their situations seem more dark and hopeless in contrast to the bright twinkle lights that surround them. It really isn't the most wonderful time of the year for some people. It is a poignant reminder that all is not right yet.

Lamb Wellington from the feast

Not that I think we should have a decorated tree in our house all year but Christmas should be thoughtfully celebrated and clung to year 'round. It shouldn't be confined to a day, an event, a month, a shopping period of sales, or whatever. God is God throughout time and transcending time. The hope of Christmas applies moment to moment. Just when we want to give up, feel utterly alone, lost, unloved, ugly, dumb, angry, discouraged, and hopeless should be when we teach ourselves again and again Christmas. Not the Christmas of whirlwind activities, fake smiles, and presents that turn to dust but true Christmas of the Bible.

Harper, the Christmas Cherub?

God of the universe, creator of all things, out of love, sent his only Son to humble human birth as a baby in order that we can have eternal life. But not just hope for when this life ends and all sorrows and troubles shall cease, but a present and living hope as well. God cares deeply of our momentary afflictions and our present sufferings. And since Jesus walked this earth as a man, he is no stranger to our weaknesses, heartaches, toothaches, arguments, tears, and so on. He lived as we live. Hope, peace, and love for the moment to moment. Hope, peace, and love for the future.

snowshoeing on Christmas Eve

Also, let me take this a bit further. Remembering this truth at Christmas isn't just the little bit extra that gets us through a tough spot. Faith in this is everything for salvation. It is all our hope, love, and peace. A part from Jesus, we have nothing and can do nothing to free ourselves from the broken patterns of this world. Christ had to be born a man, live the perfect life we cannot live no mater how hard we try, be crucified for our sins so justice could be satisfied, and overcome Satan, sin, and death through His resurrection. This had to happen that we may be saved and have hope, life, peace, and love. That is why I celebrate Christmas. That is what I teach myself  when I become sad and angry at work on Christmas Day. That is what I cling to when death touches my family or suffering knocks on our door. I want to celebrate Christmas, giving glory rightly to God, all year long and all life long.

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Merry Christmas!