I empathize with you who are younger as you shop, cook, wrap, hide, decorate, plan and prepare for a wonderful Christmas in your home. Been there - done that!
For four decades I led churches through the Advent and Christmas seasons. Early on, I decided not to add to the pressure too significantly. I always tried to put all our emphasis on one event and give families time to be together and enjoy one another. That also freed me up to put extra time into visiting shut-ins, the sick and the lonely. And to work extra on preparing Advent messages that would challenge and bless!
As I look back, I see the transitions of our lives:
- the agony of trying to get to sleep as a young boy.
- the thrill of seeing a pile of packages on Christmas morning!
- the excitement of our first Christmas as newlyweds.
- the fun of coming home as a couple to add value to each of our family's Christmas.
- the joy and fun of the years when we centered our Christmas around our kids.
- several years where the date of Christmas floated from November to January to accommodate Travis' military schedule.
- the years when Travis and Troy (and occasionally Troy's friends) joined us as young adults for a Christmas celebration of gifts and food!
- the de-nesting experience of being alone on Christmas Day and reframing our celebration around each other.
- Christmas in China for three years with our teammates and a few selected students.
- recent Christmases where we've been able to pop in a few days after Christmas to share the joy with our precious grandchildren!
Christmas changes!
This year, we had our family home in early December to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's together! It was WONDERFUL!!!!
In retirement, however, I'm removed from the responsibility of leading the church through the season. Debbie will be with her Mom for 24-hours on Christmas Eve - I'll be alone all day. We'll have a quiet celebration together on Christmas morn (when she gets home). In the afternoon, we'll join her siblings at the Whippo farm (just three miles away). And we'll probably end the day watching THE NATIVITY movie together. Christmas changes.
I just read a notification from a friend of ours who lives (with her husband) in India. It revealed a picture of her with her new-born son! Precious!
As a Christian, Ida realizes the added joy of her son being born at this time of year! We rejoice with her!
Our experience of Christmas changes as our lives progress through various stages. However, the message and meaning of Christmas NEVER CHANGES!!!
God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should live eternally!
There it is!
God's Son, nursed at the breast of a young girl from Nazareth around 2,000 years ago!
The Redeemer of the world made His entrance and was welcomed by animals, shepherds and strangers from a far-off land!
Our Savior, who left the splendor of Heaven to come into the squalor of this world so that we can eventually enter into the glory of His eternal world!
"Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee!"
To my family and friends all around the world: Have a blessed Christmas - whatever stage of life you may be in! :-)
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