Searching for Reason in the Season...

Wherever one goes these days, we are truly accosted by "Christmas". In some stores, Santa, and sometimes a nativity scene, appeared on shelves, placed  beside Jack-O-Lanterns and witches, before Halloween. That would not have happened in my childhood. So, in mid-October, merchants begin the push for us  to 'decorate'. My first reaction is to wonder how children can help but be confused, with the secular so conspicuously superimposed over what Christians celebrate as God sending His own son into the world...and why.

Every holiday most of us participate in some mother's outrage at their child being told by someone that Santa is a myth. Now, I must admit that my husband and I did invite Santa to bring toys on Christmas, and protected the fun of his stealthy appearance during the night for our kids, but we took the approach that the kids would figure it out. Ultimately they  'pretended' they believed, thinking that would pacify us and that they would get more presents because of it. And, we went along, trying to squeeze out as much lingering innocence as we could (possibly somewhat tarnished by their manipulation.) But, in spite of the toys and tradition, the centerpiece of our season was irrevocably  Christ. Our outrage would have been for anyone to have dared suggest Christ was a myth!

Now I have grandchildren, and with the hindsight that comes with years, see how the world would attempt to invalidate the message of a Savior who willingly left Heaven, took upon Himself a human body, and walked out every rejection, hardship, disappointment, temptation, and the urges that accompany each of those, in humility and faith - and ultimately embracing every rejection, hardship, disappointment, and urge that we struggle with. Truly, we have a High Priest in the Heavens who hears us when we pray, and groans with us while we try to make sense of those things that are truly, senseless. (Hebrews 4:14 & Romans 8:26) 

But, for the children, it is enough to know how much God loved them. who he sent, and why. To communicate the great love that would give up a child so that He could redeem all children, and that one day, inexplicably, bring us to live with Him (and each other) in Heaven.

Ah, the manger. The first 'king-sized bed'. Our Lord left Heaven, spent nine months under Mary's heart, and was laid in a manger in a stinky stable; it defies the imagination.  Let's keep 'the bling' in perspective this season. The shelves of Made in China plastic angels and Santa's will wait. Take a few moments to ponder the Reason and then go wish a "Merry Christmas" to everyone you see. 

Chapter four in Joseph: the Heart of the Father, gives a bit of insight as to what that first Christmas night was like. It was not a silent night!