12.06.04
Christmas and Getting Older
My mom told me over Thanksgiving that she wasn’t all that excited about Christmas this year. Granted, I think it was a thinly-veiled hint for grandchildren, but even so, what she said stuck with me. As I’ve gotten older, Christmas has lost some of its glitter and mystique for me, mostly as my innocence has diminished over the years. But even so, it’s probably my favorite time of the year, and I figure it probably will continue to be for most of the rest of my life.
We spoke about getting and giving a little in Sunday School yesterday - mostly about how we, as Americans, tend to sit around and complain about not “feeling” something while we idle away waiting for someone to give us something to feel. Instead, shouldn’t we look deeper into ourselves and to God? Someone brought up how cynical a lot of adults are about the Christmas season and how they complain about how it’s “not the same” as it was when they were a kid. He’s given us plenty to feel excited and grateful about, especially around this time of year. It’s a great time to reflect on what He’s given you (spiritually, not materially) over the past year, as well as to ponder the awesomeness of His love, manifested by the birth of His son.
In the end, excitement about this time of year continues to course through my veins, even though I’m almost 26 now, and by all definitions, I’m an adult. I’ll admit it has changed a little. Instead of the wide-eyed wonderment and uncontainable anticipation of seeing Santa Claus appear with his sack of toys, my joy and excitement now comes from the humbling thought that on a night over 2000 years ago, a small boy was born with the sole aim to eventually pay the price for any evil deed I commit or any evil thought that enters my mind. And how I’ve done nothing to earn that gift, nor will I ever be able to do anything to pay it back.
That, to me, is the true joy of Christmas.
Happy Holidays!