This coming Sunday, December 19 is the fourth Sunday of Advent in our Christian year and then before we know it, a mere six days later it will be Christmas Day.
As I listen to some of the secular Christmas songs on the radio, I have been reflecting a bit about Christmas past and what Christmas means to us today.
I am aware for some this is a difficult time of year, where they may feel especially isolated or depressed. Perhaps they are haunted by a memory or memories of Christmas past or struggling with a sense of loss.
Some may feel pressured to spend money they don’t have or find themselves in a flurry of activity building up to what? What makes the meal you have Christmas day different from the meal you have any other day?
Perhaps you are truly living out all the romantic Christmas movies one finds on television this time of year or very excited with all the lights and tinsel of the season.
Have you hung the stockings by the chimney with care?Maybe you are anticipating that much awaited one special gift. You know, what I’m talking about, the one you have been hinting about for months now.Whatever situation you find yourself in, please do yourself a favor and seek the glad tidings of Christmas!
Find a bit of time this coming week to read Luke 2:8-20 and hear the announcement of the Lord’s Angel to lowly shepherds. “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!”This is “…wonderful, joyous news for all people.”
This is “…wonderful, joyous news for all people.” Certainly this is the news of Christmas!
So in any circumstance, let us make time, as Mary did, to consider the good news of the greatest gift carefully this week. Let us glorify and praise God as the shepherds did for all we have heard and seen.
Advent Blessings,
Pastor Peggy