21 Dec 2016
Since about Halloween, it seems, we’ve been hearing Christmas
music in the stores. And so, I was
surprised yesterday when I went to a store and . . . the Christmas music was
gone. And all the Christmas decorations
were in one corner of the store, all discounted. It was kind of sad. I wanted to say, “Hey, we haven’t even had
Christmas yet . . . what happened to Christmas?”
But that’s just how it is, I guess; it’s just one season in
the cycle of retail life. And now they’ve
moved onto Spring and, pretty soon, Easter.
Meanwhile, in the hearts of Christians, we’re just ramping up now to our
Christmas festivities: four days away. The
birth of Our Savior is a bright spot in our hearts and minds right now.
And so, keeping the spirit of Advent and Christmas alive and
real has to begin with us; with us who hold these celebrations very near to our
heart. And what we hold close to us is
that spirit of hope and joy and anticipation that Christ will come again. We hold that spirit so close that it’s almost
like a secret; like a secret joy.
Two thousand years ago, a secret joy was shared between Mary
and Elizabeth—while the world was unaware.
And, today, that same secret is shared among all believers. Our task is to spread that secret—not
necessarily shouting from the rooftops, but maybe by whispering that secret
again to someone who’s forgotten about it.
In our own quiet way, like Mary and Elizabeth, may we share
the hope of Advent, and the eternal joy of Christmas.
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