Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 (KJV)
Christmas morning, 9:15 and the creatures are still not stirring. When you have adult children who are also night owls, Christmas presents don’t get opened until afternoon. Sometimes, dinner guests are arriving as I clean up the last of the wrapping paper. Not that there is much of it, they ask for more expensive things the older they get and because we have a dollar limit to spend, sometimes, they only get one item. But, they are happy with that. Especially since I don’t force them up before noon. I’ve been sitting here remembering Christmas’ past when I had to set an alarm clock and tell them they couldn’t get out of bed until it went off. That was in reaction to the year that youngest son was two and work us up about midnight hollering for his “twactor”. He did indeed get several twactors that year, but Santa had just finished putting things under the tree and gone to bed and was not amused with the wakeup call. Those were both the good ole and the bad ole days. There was so much happiness and chaos in our house in those days, but there was also a lot of stress and fear. Today, as I sit quietly on the couch contemplating the tiny tree and sparse decorations, I have much more peace than I did when the house was wall to wall decorated and there were so many presents in front of the tree that you couldn’t even see the ornaments. So many people will be disappointed this morning. Disappointed because they didn’t get what they wanted or because someone didn’t come through with a behavior, apology and present. Or maybe they didn’t even show up. I spent a lot of Christmases disappointed by the end of the day. Now, I understand that the Spirit of Christmas is different from the trappings of Christmas. That nothing changes about people or circumstances just because of one magical day. But, that everything changes just because of a Baby born in the manager. Not in our world, but in our hearts making us more able to face what comes because we hold on to the hope that He came to bring. As I straightened a nativity scene this morning, I thought about how Jesus’ birth only complicated things for so many people. Certainly Mary and Joseph who now bore the responsibility of raising the King of Kings. The shepherds did not turn into wealthy merchants because they had heard the angels. They had to return to their dirty, messy jobs after seeing the Babe in the manger. The wise men had to run for their lives knowing that Herod was after them. Jesus, Emmanuel, God With Us, came to walk with us through the tough times, through the hard decisions and the lonely nights. And the quiet Christmas mornings when the stockings are still full and no one comes to claim them.
Merry Christmas!
I am always the first one up on Christmas morning. I have learned to love that quiet first cup of tea, sitting in the dark except for the lights of the tree, having the opportunity to reflect on the present of Christmas itself. To find the Christmas child within who believes in the goodness of mankind and the joy of knowing I am loved.
I am not too sure I could ever adjust to family who did not get up until noon! I'd feel like I missed half of Christmas.
Peace be with you!