"Joy to the world, the Lord is come..."
This song rings throughout my home, sung at the top of six-year-old boy lungs. The words aren't all correct, but the spirit and meaning is there. Christmas is about Hope. Christmas is the time that we reflect on this Hope. We look inward and feel the Joy that comes from Hope. What is our Hope? Our Hope lies in the Christ-child, Who came so that we could be rescued from the joyless, hopeless existence that is life without Him. He alone is our Hope, our Joy.
This year has been a deeper reflection of the Meaning of Christmas for me. What is Christmas really about? Our family decided this was the year that we would discontinue spending large amounts of money on gifting the extended family. We chose a local family whom we will buy gifts for and bless them, as they are having a difficult and challenging time. There will still be some gifts for our family to open, but making this decision felt liberating, freeing from commercial Christmas bondage. While we will still "buy" things for this family, it is not about how much or who has more.
I'm also turning 40 tomorrow. Of course, it comes with reflection about meaning and purpose. I am in a place that I could never imagined at the tender age of 20, when I dreamed of the future, and family, and my goals and dreams. My life has been challenging and difficult and rich and exciting. I have followed paths that were clearly led by Jesus, and other paths that were clearly led by my own selfish will. But God is there and He is faithful, even when I am not faithful, even when I take my own path. And He sometimes gently and sometimes fiercely guides me back to following Him...my Provider, my Husband, my Lifegiver, my Creator.
As you reflect on Christmas, seek out the Meaning - Jesus. Look past the plastic Santa and the pretty lights. Put down the beautiful packages and listen to what He is saying. Find the Joy He has for you in the simple things...bless others. Hug your children. Give to the Salvation Army. Bring a coat to the donation center. Notice those whose eyes are downcast from the pain. Find Joy.
And sing with the six-year-old boy at the top of your lungs...."Joy to the world, the Lord is come....."
