In the quiet of Sunday morning, as I prepared to go to church for our Christmas service, I realized how much my excitement had diminished for the coming celebration. Of course I was looking forward to gathering with the family in our home to do all the normal “Christmas things” but really… Christmas, it seems, began earlier than ever and has arrived quicker than ever! The pressure and stress has mounted ensuring preoccupation with the purchasing of “stuff” and the preparing of an abundance of food for people (of whom I am one of course!) who have a lot of “stuff”and are often over fed.
Now in case you think I am just a miserable old Scrooge, let me assure you I love Christmas! However this year it has come home to me more powerfully than ever, that somehow we have almost lost sight of whose birthday we are celebrating and with that so much of the awe and wonder that makes the season so special. When I ask myself what is foremost in my mind in preparation for Christmas, Jesus has not been very prominent.
My sorrow was only deepened when I observed a child looking at a Nativity scene. “Who is the baby in the manger?” they were asked to which they replied “I don’t know.” Why should they know, I asked myself. We have done everything we can to erase any meaning from the season.. Cards rarely mention it, saying Happy Holidays to ensure nobody is offended. How did this happen? Have I been sleeping? The final verse of this powerful Christmas song from Casting Crowns (link to a full version of the song) says it all
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
And yet the truth is told so powerfully by these two stanzas from Longfellow’s poem “Christmas Bells” (Once again set to music by Casting Crowns)
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men
Well maybe I have been sleeping but I think it’s about time I woke up. How about you?
From the Zebra Bag 