“Will there be less or more rejoicing than normal? Will the somber, jittery nature of our circumstances these days help us rediscover, or bury further the real meaning of Christmas?”
How will this year's Christmas Season be different from last years? Will September 11th and the events that have followed since affect the celebration this year? This is a silly question, isn't it? Our world has been profoundly affected, so it only follows that Christmas this year will be different. How tangible will that difference be?
Yesterday I heard on our local news here in Toronto that people have been going through a nesting phase since September 11th. Rather than looking outward, we have turned to our homes. Homes have become a refuge, and a lot of the Christmas spending this year will be to spruce up our nests and generally make them even cozier. I think the look towards home goes beyond the physical place where we hang our hats. People this year will be looking at their families with a new sense of importance. Whenever we experience such an "in the face" reminder of our frailty as September 11th, our values are naturally deepened and realigned with the important things in life: family and faith.
Still, we have to remember that for many, Christmas this year will be a very hard mountain to climb. There will be wives without husbands, husbands without wives, parents without children, and children without one, or both of their parents. The fresh wounds of loss will surely be opened and exposed during this Christmas Season. We need to be particularly mindful of the thousands of lives that will have to struggle to get through the holidays this year. Be praying for them, and if you happen to know any of the families personally, make it your special gift to Christ this year to help them through this difficult time.
What about the rest of us? With so much uncertainty and anxiety in the air, how will our Christmas times be affected? Will there be less or more rejoicing than normal? Will the somber, jittery nature of our circumstances these days help us rediscover, or bury further the real meaning of Christmas?
Let me share with you a quote that I've had kicking around for so long I can't even identify the source. (If you know where this comes from, please let me know):
"The people of that time were being heavily taxed, and faced every prospect of a sharp increase to cover expanding military expenses. The threat of world domination by a cruel, ungodly, power-intoxicated band of men was ever just below the threshold of consciousness. Moral deterioration had corrupted the upper levels of society and was moving rapidly throughout the majority of the population. Intense nationalistic feelings were clashing openly with new and sinister forms of imperialism. Conformity was the spirit of the age. Government handouts were being used with increasing lavishness to keep the population from rising up and throwing out the leaders. Interest rates were spiraling upward in the midst of an inflated economy. External religious observances were considered a political asset, and abnormal emphasis was being placed upon sports and athletic competition. Racial tensions were at the breaking point. In such a time, and among such a people, a child was born to a migrant couple who had just signed up for a fresh round of taxation, and who were soon to become political exiles. And the child who was born was called, among other things, Emmanuel, God with us."
Interesting quote isn't it? Here's the thought that I want you to consider this holiday season: The first Christmas was very much like this Christmas. There was just as much violence and evil. There was just as much uncertainty and pain. There was even a great loss of life as Herod killed all the boys two and under (Matt 2:16). If God chose that particular time to send His Son into the world, specifically because of the condition of the world, then I have a great comfort in knowing that He continues to send His Son this year as well.
He doesn't send him as a helpless baby though. No, this time around, He is a risen Saviour, a source of strength and forgiveness. He sends Him as the answer to all that is wrong with this world, and our hearts. God understands the problems of a world battling terrorists. Jesus Himself fought and beat the biggest terrorist of them all: Satan. Jesus said in John 12:31b-32, "Now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." Jesus came, and still comes to those who have been hurt by the sins of others, and by their own sins. God sent his Son into a very unsafe, uncertain place so that we might find peace and safety in Him.
The world, I believe, will continue to function as it did two thousand years ago, and as it did on September 11th. Wherever there is sin at work, lives are lost and damaged. But, the same God who saw our plight and sent His Son, is the same God who watches over us now.
This Christmas, let's reflect upon God's willingness to offer help at the worst of times, both 2,000 years ago, and today. Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of peace and hope in the midst of turmoil, so I believe that this Christmas will be all the more special for my family and me. How about you and yours?
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14)