As we age, and with the recent weirdness of life, perhaps you’ve felt something that I am feeling today.
I have no energy or excitement for the seasons.
With no kids at home, most of the family is far away, and the clash of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) so many feel, I’m just not interested. From Thanksgiving through the end of the year, and even the most memorable time of all, Christmas, there is just no energy from young ones hovering around the stories of Christmas. We’ve not had family gatherings in several years. The recent pandemic fear has left us without that connection we once cherished – our church cannot even gather for a banquet or party, and many still struggle with a gathering we once took for granted.
What do we do with this season?
My mind goes back to that night so long ago when only Mary and Joseph were united in the birth of Jesus. Alone. The animals of a stable were the only watchers of that night and it was at best attached to a residence, but could have been a cave in the fields. The manger quickly becomes the place of stories as we tell about His birth.
I have been there and have seen the examples of what could have been. With no midwife, doctor, nurse, or family gathered in the waiting room, this young couple brought into the world what many young couples have equally done for millennium. A baby with needs of the moment leaves parents wondering about providing for a new family. No job, home, supportive family, doctor, nurse, or sterile birthing place.
If you think about it like this, the birth was no different than any other “animal” of the day. Except, their season was unique, and they had each other.
That’s what we need to hear.
Even if it’s misdated, this season needs to be about Jesus and not about the trappings of what our culture produces. I stepped into a store yesterday, the last Saturday before Christmas. My expectation of a madhouse was huge, but the store was only marginally busy. Registers were open, and there were no lines. Most of the store seemed to be grocery shopping and not around all those other departments where lurking gifts are plied. It’s not even the first of the month when paychecks get spent on food.
What Will You Do With the Season That's Here? Christmas is the one holiday of the year that we are getting wrong. It's not about the cultural trappings. It should be all about His Birth. #Jesus Share on XThat star seen of the wise men, can you imagine it today? It’s leading you to the child, and not to a tree.
Those gifts we yearn for, and feel incapable of giving through the pandemic? Why not give a gift to someone in need, just like those Wise Men of old.
Those songs we struggle to sing because we only know a few words, or they are in keys and reach notes only the perfect can sing? Well, surely you know a simple song about Jesus.
Tune out the world, and focus on why we have this celebration. What will we do with this Season? It’s really up to you.
Let’s Start It Right!
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.“
Luke 1:26-33 NKJV
Do not be afraid to let this season be for the right reason. It’s all about Jesus! Together we can make a difference through this season.