Well, we’ve entered into this holiday season full swing! In our home, the decorations are slowly put up so we can savor each activity, the gifts gathered with each special person in mind, and the Christmas movies enjoyed as we take time to relax after a long day. One of our favorite stories this time of year is A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens said it best as he reminded us what’s important at Christmas.
My heart’s desire is that we take time to remember why we celebrate this day — why it’s our favorite season!
- First, it’s not all about the lights or the decorations or our favorite Christmas melodies (although they add so much to this time of year).
- It’s not all about the cookie recipes our family has passed down for generations.
- Nor is it the gifts piled under the tree (and in our home, they will be piled — we’ll have 27 extra family members celebrating with us for much of the week!).
- It’s not even winter’s glistening frost lit by the sun which casts long shadows across the yard. It does make it feel, oh so, Christmas-y!
So what is it all about?
- It’s ALL about the Son – the Son Who cast His shadow across history and all of creation so many years ago in a manger!
- It’s all about the Baby who made shepherds pause in wonder and angels sing praise and glory.
- The Child who made wise men travel and seek for years.
- And as Tiny Tim said in our favorite Dicken’s story, that Baby-turned-Man “who made the blind to see and the lame to walk”!
‘And how did Tiny Tim behave?’, asked Mrs. Cratchit …….‘As good as gold.’ said Bob, ‘and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful sitting by himself so much and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me coming home that he hoped the people saw him in the church because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember on Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk and blind men see.’ A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
Oh, that is my absolute favorite line in all of Charles Dicken’s novels! May we truly see the Truth of declaring the Gospel in his simple words.
Blessings to you as you prepare for this beautiful season of remembering God’s Son!
And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:18-20
