I’m not sure why God has placed upon my heart to reminisce about my childhood Christmas memories this year. Maybe it’s the loss of my father and facing this and every Christmas to come without his physical presence. Maybe it’s the profound sadness that all of the grandparents and parents are gone. Perhaps it’s the absolute celebration of knowing exactly that all of our family’s leaders are in Heaven celebrating the King of all Kings every day in inconceivable worship, joy and praise.
“No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 16:27
I wrote earlier this year the beautiful African proverb that says “when an elder dies, a library burns down.” I have lost Smithsonian-sized libraries over the past few years but they left indelible wisdom and faith within me that causes the library to continue. The truths shared and taught have not changed, just the messenger.
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
I don’t know why and I don’t need to know why. I just need to remember and share. I just need to willingly accept a new role of leadership within my family, my extended family and anyone that God chooses to place in my path. A role that conveys the Savior’s love. A love so deep, so wide and so long that he desires for every person to choose him, whether early in life, mid-life, or in the last season of one’s life. Choose him. Matthew 20:1-16
I have lived in seasons where phones still sat on a table or hung on a wall. Where cars used leaded gas and paint contained lead that covered our walls. I have lived in times where friendships and relationships were formed based upon parents schedules. A time of parents leading families. A time where the value of eating around a table for dinner was recognized and protected. A time when mothers felt comfortable and compelled to be mothers to all kids around them. Where fathers were present and leading, not fleeing. Regardless of socio-economic status, race, political leanings or spiritual beliefs, people were valued. I lived in a time that your kindness and genuineness mattered more than your wardrobe or achievements on a grass field. I lived in a time where disagreements were handled face to face, not by the fickle mob. I lived in a time when we walked up to one another’s doors, knocked and were accepted in without numerous layers of pre-meeting vetting. We were a community that existed for one another.
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
I feel compelled to write this year about Christmas memories because I was and am blessed beyond blessed to have had deeply flawed and incredibly kind people love me despite, not because. My family loved me and provided me a safe, kind, loving, encouraging, environment each Christmas, regardless of how I had failed them during the year. It was a sweet time where we set aside issues and personality conflicts because Jesus came so that all who chose him were welcome. In similar manner, our family welcomed all who were present regardless of issues preceding or proceeding those blessed days of celebrating the birth of the only true King. The Son. The Savior. Jesus. Christmas
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
We’re in a next Season of confusing days. A Season where we are saying we’re not religious, we’re Christ followers. (Someone’s clever semantics that I have used.). A Season where we use terms like ‘my truth,’ ‘your truth’ and refrain from sharing the only truth for fear of rejection or offense. A Season that says if I disagree with you, I am rejecting you. A Season that rewards ambiguity and rejects absolute truth. A Season that is calling Christ’s daughters and sons to become loud bearers of truth through incomprehensible love that comes only through the Father. A Season saying the World desperately needs hope like never before. What will you do?
I guess I have felt compelled to write about my blessed childhood Christmases as I witness the continual dilution of the greatest Christian event in the history of humanity. God sent his only Son, who he loved and loves with a greater love than any human mother or father can ever possibly love their child. He gave us the blessing of Christmas to remind us of the greatest gift that would ever be given. Hope. Grace. Mercy. Salvation. Eternity. His only begotten Son.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT
I know many will read my posts as that of an old man “who just doesn’t get that times have changed and that he needs to change with the times.” You are correct. I am a man turning 60 in seventy days. I am a man blessed to have lived long enough to tell you that everything of limited meaning or human assigned value will change, but the steadfast love of God never changes. That God never changes. That the reason why Jesus was sent to earth as a baby has not and will not change. I am writing to assure you, as a man with some years of experience, that the love, joy, hope and offer of eternity with the Father in Heaven is the same today as it was when Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to Heaven.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 KJV
I encourage you to accept the opportunity that God has placed in front of you this Christmas Season. Set aside the bling and focus on the only true thing. Jesus and salvation.
You’ve got this. Merry Christmas