The Spirit of Christmas

In a heart, dark and messy, there’s a lamp lit.  The loud and angry noises hardly pay heed to the farmer entering in to care for his livestock.  It’s the same every day.  After he leaves, it is dark once more.  Everything likes when the farmer enters in, for he brings food and kindness.  But then he leaves.  One day, in the dark and messy heart of man, a couple approaches the door.  All the animals inside the barn witness a miracle that is unlike one of which they’ve ever seen, and a king enters in.  On one hand there is disturbance, for this new creature must be a threat.  On the other hand, there is a peace in sight of the man who lives in the dark world.  His heart has seen a king, but will he surrender to the new king?  Will he let the babe, the God of all, take the throne of his heart?  Or will he do all in his power to stop such a thing from happening?

Hared heard of this new king, and proactively killed all, just to ensure no such king took his throne.  Jesus wasn’t interested in Hared’s castle or courts, but the throne of his heart wouldn’t be yielded, either.  The magi’s heard of this new king and went to seek him, that they

might praise him.  They hadn’t heard anything else about this babe, but they knew who he was and they offered their hearts to the king to take his throne.

Where are you in this picture?

 

It took me a while to get in the mood for Christmas this year.  I’ve been playing Christmas music and wrapping Christmas presents not so awesomely.  I’ve watched Christmas movies (most of them on Hallmark, I’ll confess) and cuddled up in a blanket, knowing of all the snow outside.  I sit in the kitchen with my laptop in order to smell the delicious Christmas baking being done by my mother (and the fact that the cookies are within reach is just a bonus, really).  What does “Christmas spirit” mean, anyway?

But this year, I’ve been learning more of the Christmas story than I remember knowing in the past.  And it’s more than a story.  It’s Christmas when God becomes man, and the rescue mission to save the humanity that he loves goes underway.  It’s so much more than a holiday.  What begins in a manger leads to the cross.  But it doesn’t end there.  In a few months, we’ll celebrate Easter, the finale of the rescue mission of God in the flesh here on earth.  And the best part is, he’s still moving everywhere, all around still today!

 

In a heart, dark and messy, a savior arrives.  He teaches the way of the Christian life only found in him.  He leads the way, every day.  And somewhere along the way, I’ve found the spirit of Christmas.

 

Anna 🙂