Advent Reflection: Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Merry Christmas!

There's a very good possibility that you are feeling truly merry today. It's Christmas, after all. Not only are you celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus, but also you are gathering with friends and family for feasting and fun. If, like me, you're united with loved ones whom you don't see very often, then today is an especially merry day for you. So . . . Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas?

But I'm also aware that among the 30,000 plus people who receive this Christmas reflection, today is not what you'd call a merry day. Perhaps you are separated from your loved ones by way too many miles. Perhaps this is the first Christmas you've spent without a beloved friend or relative who passed away during 2013. You miss this person more than ever today. Perhaps being together with family and friends underscores the pain in your life and the brokenness in your relationships. Or, maybe you don't have the financial means to celebrate with fine foods and generous gifts. Maybe you have to work today just to survive. No matter your exact situation, you're not feeling very merry, that's for sure. So . . . Merry Christmas?

I believe Christmas offers good news to all of us, to those of us who are making merry and to those of us who are feeling sad, and to those of us who fall somewhere in between.

If you're celebrating today with joy, Christmas is a time to remember that God entered into the fullness of human life in Jesus, the Word made flesh. God came among us, not only to bear our sin and pain, but also to enjoy this life with us. You'll recall, no doubt, that Jesus' detractors were critical because he spent so much time partying with "tax collectors and sinners." He didn't fit the stereotype of the ascetic holy man. He was having too much fun enjoying this life for that.

So, as you make merry today, make merry with Jesus, thanking him for the goodness in life and for being present with you today.

If today accentuates your pain, if you feel even lonelier or sadder today than you did yesterday, if you are suffering physically or emotionally, Christmas brings the good news of God's presence. In Jesus, the Word Incarnate, God became human. Jesus knows both physical and emotional suffering. He experienced loneliness and sadness. He hurt even as you hurt. And he continues to hurt with you today.

So, as you grieve today, grieve with Jesus, sharing with him the reality of your pain and thanking him for knowing how it feels and for being present with you.

The story of Christmas focuses on the baby born in a stable. The truth of Christmas focuses on God becoming human, the Word of God made flesh. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, God with us in our rejoicing, God with us in our weeping, God is with us always.

Thanks be to God!

Merry Christmas, indeed!



QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What difference does the fact that the Word became flesh make in your life? How will you share this day with Jesus?

PRAYER:

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’ incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”

Amen!

Second verse of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley, 1739.

Image by Sarah Simpson. Used with Permission. Source via Flickr.