So much about Christmas changes every year. So much about Christmas stays the same. So much about Christmas is yet to come. Maybe this is why it’s always OK to make so much about Christmas.
We all experience changes, large and small, good and bad, uplifting and heartbreaking.
Christmas changes when viruses and vaccines dominate holiday discussions.
Christmas changes when Amazon, FedEx and UPS combine to maximize efficiency, at the expense of memorable December Saturdays crisscrossing town to find just the right gift at stores like Woolworth’s, Kresge’s, or Ben Franklin.
Christmas changes when it’s all about the newest iPhone.
Christmas changes when you can no longer find a nativity stamp through the post office.
Christmas changes when smartphones at gatherings replace eye contact and discussion.
Christmas changes when Hallmark is more connected to the season than Jesus.
Christmas changes when life gets so busy we fail to notice the little things that bring joy.
Christmas changes when we get the call we never thought we would get.
Christmas changes when loved ones we’ve known all our lives are no longer here.
Christmas changes.
And yet, so much about Christmas stays the same.
Christmas stays the same when the tallest wise man in nativity sets topples in a wind.
Christmas stays the same when we feel good about saying Merry Christmas to strangers.
Christmas stays the same when both Rudolph and Frosty come out fine in the end.
Christmas stays the same when dusk falls on Christmas Eve.
Christmas stays the same when the Hallelujah Chorus brings tears to our eyes.
Christmas stays the same when we are reminded to love one another.
Christmas stays the same when we come to the manger.
Christmas stays the same when it’s all about Jesus.
Christmas stays the same.
And yet, it is so easily forgotten that so much about Christmas is yet to come.
“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Bethlehem is not the end of the story, it is not even the beginning of the story, but a milestone moment when the birth of a baby changed the world forever.
So much about Christmas is still to come when, one day soon, every knee will bow to the same King for whom there was no room at His birth and in HIs death.
So much about Christmas is still to come when the government will rest upon His shoulder and all oppression will cease.
So much about Christmas is still to come when no child, ever again, will be abused, or ridiculed, or abandoned, or unloved, or aborted.
So much about Christmas is still to come when there will be no more crying, no more loneliness, no more hatred, no more lying, no more cancer, no more pain, and no more death.
So much about Christmas is still to come, when the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, fulfills the promise foretold seven hundred years before Bethlehem.
And He shall reign forever and ever.
So much about Christmas is still to come. I pray you don’t miss it.
May you have a joyous and peaceful Christmas.
Mike Fichter
President and CEO
Recent Comments