Christmas
Honestly, I don’t know how to start this one. I have always loved the Christmas season. The lights, the music, the joy, the endless sweets that I definitely shouldn’t be eating, etc. But over the last few years, things started to change. It wasn’t the same holiday with a wonderful Christmas eve church service and almost sleepless night waiting for what might be under the tree Christmas morning. Why was I so sad in this season of hope and peace? I look back on videos and photos from christmas past and see my brother and I playing with legos or plugging whatever game systems we got into the stereo system. I see the faces of people who have long since gone before us and those that now live across the country. It was Christmas’ where we were all together.
A friend and I had a conversation about these feelings of Joy and sadness in this season. Both of us had a deep sense of pain that the holidays bring, ones of longing for the past and the healing in being together. But we didn’t stop there, we talked of the hope that this season reminds us. That there was something more meaningful than any of the wrapping paper and bow. Found in the most unexpected places on the most unexpected of nights this little baby laid in a manager.
I often wonder what it was like that the Author of the universe entered his own work. How could it be that the infinite could enter the finite. But even then what did it sound like coming down. Was it a big spectacle? Was it as quiet as a snowfall? Or maybe it sounded like Linus from Charlie Brown on that stage preparing to give the best sermon anyone has ever preached? Was there a feeling of helplessness and separation from the father or maybe not at all. Maybe he knew that we will all be together again.
This season is difficult for a lot of people(myself included). Find them this season and give them a hug or do some act of unforeseen kindness. People need to feel the love this season especially. If anyone is looking for some good Christmas movies or songs I’ll have a few of my favorites below. And a reminder that December 13th in Nashville some friends and I will be putting on a wonderful Christmas concert so hope to see y’all there!
Movies: Klaus, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch stole Christmas(Yes the Jim Carrey one)
Songs: Hometown Christmas By NEEDTOBREATHE, Switchfoot, Judah., Arrival by Hillsong, Silent Night by Rend Collective, Wonderful Feeling by Jars of Clay, Joy to the World by Phil Wickham, California Christmas by Switchfoot(or anything off this record), Gloria Gloris by Jess Ray, Mary and Joseph by Chris Renzema. Also Here is a link to my christmas playlist Link.
