Comfort and Joy

I've heard a lot about comfort and joy recently. After all, it is that time of year.

But, as I've stood in candlelight services and sung Christmas carols with family and friends I've been aware of the irony. Though we sing about bright lights and silent babies, I can't get out of my mind the facts of the biblical Christmas story. For it seems, we've strayed quite a bit from what actually happened.


For one thing, Mary, Joseph, and those poor shepherds must have been really freaked out what with angel visitations, strange dreams/prophesies, and signs that a baby was on its way. I know the angel said "Have no fear," but really? How would you react when some man appears to you out of nowhere?


And no room in the inn has become nothing more than a cute saying to us. Though I'm sure at the time not having a place to stay while Mary was bursting at the seams ready to give birth would have been stressful. Animals and a manger may make nice nativity scenes for us to sell in stores and put in our front yards, but a stable is really no place for a newborn baby. Just think about what it must have smelled like!


Christmas comes with lots of talk about peace on Earth and joy to all men, but what has hit me hard this year is this:


In order for us to have comfort, and the entire reason we can talk seriously about those themes, is because Jesus was willing to sacrifice His own comfort. Of course He was a special child, but He grew up knowing His purpose was to die.


And with that knowledge He was born into discomfort, cried as a baby, and took the weight of the world on His shoulders.


Peace on Earth?
Yeah, there will be.

'Tis The Season...

-For midnight caffeine fixes to aid in the cramming
-For giant blow up snow globes and bright lights
-For white salt residue on your pant legs
-For slipping on ice and catching flakes on your tongue
-For predicting the endings of Falalala Lifetime movies
-For mini marshmallows floating in seas of hot chocolate
-For too much peppermint and red and white stripes
-For twinkletoes and little toy makers
-For shaking presents and guessing games
-For an old jolly man to check his list twice
-For spreading joy and cheesy jingles
-For sentimental wishes, hopes, and dreams

-And most of all for one gift sent long ago, that makes the rest of this list worth celebrating too.

Christmas 2009 is almost here!