Tis the season, for what? It would seem harder and harder to sort our what the season is all about these days. Sales and bargains begin earlier and earlier each year and the sales last longer and longer.
There are 24 hour specials every 24 minutes it seems. After thanksgiving malls are packed Internet commerce is up and everyone is getting ready for the holidays. I just heard that cyber Monday crossed over the 1 billion dollars spent mark this year in the US alone.
Is the Christmas season really about spending like it is our birthday rather than Jesus’? There is so much noise swirling all around us and it is hard to think sort out all of the junk from the substance at times. In fact there is so much junk that it is easy to see how we can all be distracted.
But this time is about focusing on the way that God loves us so much that Jesus, God’s word made flesh, came to live and breath and encounter humanity in a very unique way. All of the suffering, dirty diapers, embarrassing moments that we encounter…God’s been there through Jesus.
Let us not be deterred amid all of the lights of the Christmas season that we are getting ready for the living and breathing gift that didn’t come wrapped in paper or adorned with a bow or that had monetary value. This is the gift of God’s grace made real and tangible in the person of Jesus.
As we continue to the manger this season take time every day to remember and give thanks for the coming of Jesus, the one who overcame dath so that we may have life. As a youth worker journey with students and keep them mindful about this. Help them sort out the noise and get back to the heart of why we, who are journeying toward a deeper discipleship, find hope, peace, love and joy in advent.
