The night is still this Christmas Eve. Christmas music is softly playing and the lights of our tree glow brightly. There is something magical about this night. It has always been that way for me. When I was a child, Christmas Eve was exciting. I could hardly wait for Santa’s arrival. I could imagine the reindeer landing on our roof and Santa dropping down our chimney. In the evening we would attend Christmas Eve services at our church and then we would drive around to look at Christmas lights. Our last stop was a special place; people came from all around to see it. Up the hill from our home was a fabulous Christmas display made by Sundar Shadi. At the top of Mr. Shadi’s yard was a star shining above a small town, Bethlehem. Closer to the sidewalk were shepherds with their sheep. There was a fire where they warmed themselves. In another direction were the wise men with their camels. Christmas music softly played. I had to imagine what was up ahead for them. We couldn’t see Mary, Joseph, and the baby. There was an air of anticipation and even mystery. This scene was magical for me.
Long after I learned the truth about Santa, this Christmas
scene still held its magic for me. Its
creator, Mr. Shadi, was an immigrant, not even a Christian. He built this as a gift to the community.
This year our usual Christmas celebrations are cancelled
because of the pandemic. We are
celebrating more simply. Our pastor
asked us what Christmas means to us.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The truth is that we don’t know exactly when
or where Jesus was born. Of the four
Gospels, two don’t even contain a birth narrative. The other two, Luke and Matthew, tell two
totally different stories; we tend to combine them. What really happened? We don’t know. Does it matter? I don’t think so. It’s a mystery.
What does Christmas mean to me? This year there is no celebrating with the
family. I can’t go to church but have to
be content with an online service. It’s
quiet and I have time to think. On
Christmas we celebrate the birth of a baby, an incredible gift to us. This baby grew into a man who showed us what
God looks like in human form. He taught
us how to live and how to love.
Christmas is about love.
This is a season of renewed hope, a season of joy. When I read the Christmas stories in Luke and
Matthew, I am filled with wonder, just as I was as a child looking at Mr. Shadi’s
display. Will we ever find the peace
that fills us at Christmas? Can we find
hope in these difficult times? Will the
Kingdom of God be fulfilled? How can
Jesus be fully human and fully divine? I
have so many questions. I don’t expect
to know the answers in my lifetime. A
little mystery is okay. It is what makes
Christmas magical.
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