Tuesday, December 24, 2024 – Christmas
“The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming
into the world.” (John 1: 9, New Living Translation)
Many years ago, when our eldest daughter,
Katie, was about 6 or 7 years old, we had a church Christmas supper at First
Baptist Church in Ottawa. As was the custom, after supper and some carol
singing, Santa made his appearance for the children. Each child came up and sat
on Santa’s knee and told Santa what they wanted for Christmas. But when Katie
got to Santa and was asked what she wanted, she shouted out in an exasperated
cry, “I don’t know what I want for Christmas!”
Now, I am sure that she did all
right that Christmas once her Christmas list was written. Our children may not
have gotten everything off their lists but we made sure they were few if any disappointments.
I stopped Christmas shopping with Susan for the kids after seeing Susan march
up to the counter at the near-by Toys-R-Us store with a shopping cart filled to
overflowing. The final price tag made me blanch! Our adult kids marvel now at
how Susan and I managed to make sure our four children had a great Christmas.
But I grew up in a similar vein
at Christmas. I had poured over the Simpsons and Eaton’s Christmas catalogues (toy
sections, of course) and made my Christmas list. Again, I didn’t get
evryth8ing, but I never remember a Christmas when I didn’t get the items at the
top of my list. Table top hockey set, skates, race car set, hockey equipment, and
the like. I was never disappointed.
All of us can probably remember
a Christmas or two when a gift was extra meaningful, extra special, and was at
the top of our wish list. Maybe, it was homemade. Maybe, it wasn’t expensive
but it was obvious that the giver put a lot of thought and care in choosing the
gift. Perhaps, it was something that you never would have gotten for yourself. Maybe,
it spoke of the love and affection the giver had for you. Perhaps, it came as a
surprise, something delightfully unexpected but wonderful just the same.
What I really wanted for Christmas comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes
and meanings.
This should remind us that the gift of the Christ Child is exactly what
this old world needs today, what you and I need.
In the book of Isaiah, we hear the prophecy, “For a child is born to
us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he
will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace.” (Isiah 9:2) Perhaps, we may
not totally relate to the description here. Although I would claim that because
of the game of thrones our world leaders engage in through their Herod-like arrogance,
wars, lies and abuse of power, we are badly in need of a new power that cancels
them out and restores the goodness of God’s Creation. Jesus Christ is that power:
“In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed
them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” (Colossians 2: 15)
We may feel wistful for Isaiah’s
promise but we all understand the need for light. We understand what it is to
live in darkness and have the deep need for someone to light the way ahead. We identify
with the shepherds who spend the dark night tending to their ordinary lives and
then are amazed at the new light that leads them on a different journey. “The
one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the
world.”
Jesus is exactly what you and I want and need this Christmas. All of us need some portion of this amazing gift: emotional healing, physical comfort, encouragement, his grace, his forgiveness, his love, his peace, his joy, his Presence so that we see our way through the darkness and obscurity which hurt and wound us. We need his Light in our lives. God put a lot of care and thought into this Gift. “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)
Just what I wanted for
Christmas!
May you all experience a very
blessed and happy Christmas!
Dale
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