When December rolls around, life begins to change: Decorations come out of storage. A tree goes up in the living room. Wish lists are shared. Shopping trips begin in earnest. Lights brighten up the neighborhood. The church lights more candles than usual. Christmas songs fill the air.

And then, on one Holy Night: all is calm; all is bright.

When does Christmas begin for you?

When our daughters danced The Nutcracker, we’d hear folks say that Christmas began with the ballet. I could understand that. When music lessons filled my life, Christmas seemed to begin after the school holiday concert. Here in Glen Rock, no Christmas is complete without the carolers.

For some folks, Christmas is a time of caring and sharing.  I’ve heard some people say a Dickens Christmas Carol begins their Christmas. I’ve heard others say it begins with the Christmas Party at The Well, visiting a homebound friend, or dropping the cards off at the Post Office.

Some of us may remember Christmas beginning with the arrival of a department store Christmas catalog, or a parade featuring Santa in his sleigh, or maybe that first coating of snow.

In Matthew’s gospel, Christmas begins with a whispered rumor in Joseph’s ear, and the appearing of an angel in a dream who announces the birth of a child who will save God’s people from their sins.

In Luke’s gospel, Christmas begins with an angel’s visit, and Mary letting God be with her according to his word.

In Mark’s gospel, Christmas begins with a John the Baptist preparing the way of the Lord, and preaching people into being ready for the coming of the Christ.

In John’s gospel, Christmas begins with the word, who was with God from the beginning, and who is God, becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

In these, and many ways more, Christmas begins with the preparing and waiting for a promised child who brings the unexpected grace of angels singing peace on earth and shepherds going to see a child laying in manger.

I wonder when Christmas might begin for you this year.

Perhaps it will begin as you prepare your heart for the gift only Christ can give by making time to refresh yourself with the promises of God, or maybe in the light of a candle flickering in the night, or with the beauty of a song that promises of a new and glorious morn. However Christmas begins for you this year, I pray that it will grace you with a peace brought by a child whose love makes us and all things new.

 

Pastor Skip