Christmas For The Tired

Christmas

for the Tired

Take a deep BREATH (like, really). HOLD (a few seconds). EXHALE (slowly). It’s been a year. Two years. One more breath…

Once upon a time, I told my little daughter, “He’s got the whole world in His hands, Anna.” She asked, “Don’t His arms get tired?” I answered, “Uh - no - they don’t actually.” But mine do.

By this time I usually feel like Bing Crosby in Who-ville. This year I feel like the Grinch in My-ville. I really want to

feel merry and light and joy - and well - Christmas spirit.

But I’m tired of Covid and division and the world basically unhinged. It just doesn’t feel like the most wonderful time of the year. Can I get an amen?!

But while our world doesn’t feel merry and bright - that’s the point. The Lord Christ was born into a dark and dead world - and He brought light and life. The main thing God has given the world is Himself. And it is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Because the spirit of Christmas – though we love the parties, gifts, Bing Crosby and friends, the decorations and other traditions (and we should – enjoy!) – the true spirit comes down to the one word ADVENT, meaning COMING. It is God coming to man, heaven coming toward hell, good coming toward evil, healing coming toward pain, and light coming toward the dark.

He came to us...

He named Himself after His presence with us - Immanuel - God with us. And with His presence, He gave us compassion, truth, redemption, faith, hope, love. He gave us confidence in the ultimate triumph of God, regardless of how dark the moment.

Let’s receive the gift of God this year, and give that gift to others. Forgiveness. Grace. An embrace. A listening ear. Encouragement. Genuine interest in crazy Uncle Barry. (Are we not the same to God?) A call to isolated family or friends.

At times my arms grow tired of working and my heart grows tired of longing. But Christmas reminds me that a world of beauty, simplicity, peace, and joy will not be my doing but God’s. A divine plan is unfolding, and for a season the distant echoes of God’s power and glory grow stronger. For a season, the joy and hope we have in His stunningly unconditional sacrificial life is given a name - “Christmas spirit.”

May we never recover from simple wonder at the mystery of God’s huge love.

Tidings of comfort and joy indeed! Merry Christmas!

From Isaiah - “On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned…for unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Christmas at Sandhurst

Community Caroling: December 3rd, 7:oopm - 8:30pm Christmas Celebration: December 12th, 10:15am - 11:30am Carol Sing: December 19th, 9:00am - 10:00am Christmas Day Service: December 25th, 10:15am - 11:30am Christmas Eve Service: Decmeber 24th, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth...