Advent Week 4 - Magic

 

December always seems to fly by. All of the work and effort to make the holidays special and it’s here and over. No wonder we get so stressed, especially those of us who are working and then adding all the Christmas preparations. I always say it is like having two jobs, maybe more, in December. Add to all the preparations, there is a general anxiety that can set in (can I get it all done in time, have I forgotten anything, will they like it?) And for many of us, depression becomes part of the picture as well. In our case another empty chair at the table this year. 

Is it any wonder we lose sight of what all this bustle is about?  How did it become so busy, so full of stuff that probably doesn’t really matter? 

I have always loved the magic that surrounds Christmas. As a child it was Santa and presents suddenly appearing. As I grew older the magic came from Mom and Dad’s secrets, and the beauty of decorations and warmth on the inside, snow on the outside. As an adult I loved the romance of it all, carols, lights, anticipated gifts. When I was single I’d decorate my place even though I wasn’t there for the actual holiday. I had cast off ornaments from grandparents and parents, and began to collect ornaments when I traveled. The magic intensified when I became engaged during the holiday season, perfectly romantic.

I began entertaining at Christmas when I worked in a church. I’d invite my co-workers over and we’d celebrate together, a time for me to thank and honor them. This turned into an open house, an opportunity to get together with friends and family, some for just this one time in the year.

Sometimes I’d find the magic waning, just wanting to stay home and get some presents wrapped or cookies baked. The busyness could sap the joy right out of me. Over time, I’ve learned to focus on people, not the things, but it’s been a hard earned lesson. “These are not interruptions, they are opportunities.”

Centuries before the first Advent, prophets foretold the coming of Jesus, to be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem, named “Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ There is magic in shepherds alone in the dark suddenly being interrupted by a choir of angels. Imagine that. “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord.” And the shepherds believed and left their flocks to go and see this baby, in a manger, in a stable, in Bethlehem. The Magi saw a star and connected it with the long awaited Jewish Messiah in those ancient prophecies. They followed the star to find that baby, offering him gifts fit for a king.

That magic still exists today whenever we open our heats to let the Christ-child in. He came to dwell among us for a little while, walk and talk and eat – God with us, Emmanuel. He came to offer himself up as a sacrifice in our place so we could have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

Of course, it isn’t traditional magic. It isn’t even metaphorical magic. It’s all miraculous truth. And all we need do is open our hearts to accept the truth. To discover what the shepherds and the magi found that first Christmas – God so loved He gave.  So much of the magic of Christmas for children are the mysterious packages under the tree. And for adults, it’s watching others open treasures specially curated for the ones we love. And the greatest gift ever given is this child in a manger we honor on Christmas day. A gift of unconditional love and acceptance. A gift of life and joy and peace.  A far cry from the gift most people expected, but so much more than we deserve or even knew we needed.

Christmas carols are full of repeated themes, one of which is “coming”. Jesus came. Shepherds came. Wise men came. We are invited to come – “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “O Come Let Us Adore Him”, “Come into my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.”

Is there room in your heart? Among all the craziness of Christmas, have you made room for Jesus? Is it easier for you to believe the Santa story than it is to believe that the baby in a manger is God, come to save us? Is it easier to believe nothing at all, to put Christ and Santa and the Easter Bunny all in one box, magical, fanciful, stories? How can we know if this Jesus’ story is true?

We just need to open our heart and mind to the possibility. Perhaps the baby in the manger really did come to save us from ourselves, to offer a way back to God – a way of love and hope and peace. Just like any present, we’ll never know if we don’t open up and see. Is there room in your heart for Him?

May you have a blessed Christmas, finding amidst all the hoopla the peace and joy the Christ-child came to bring us.