I sat in the Drs. Office for the 3rd time in 3 months. Another sinus infection. A sure referral to the ENT. Another round of antibiotics. Great. Trying to make small talk and not think about my non-working sinuses I asked the nurse “so are you ready for Christmas?” “Just SO ready for it be over” – she responded with a sigh. The answer kinda jolted me. Not the typical “yes almost done with my shopping, “ or “yes just need to cook a little more”. She answered how she really felt and it stopped me. First I was really sad. Why was she ready for it to be over? Wasn’t Christmas supposed to be happy, joyful, the celebration of Jesus’s birth? But then another part of me got it. I had already cried twice today. Mainly over a non-finished house renovation and aching sinuses, but also over short words, stress, and just a lack of joy. I was missing it and so was this sweet nurse. Just ready to get this crazy season over with. Goodbye Christmas, back to normal life.
As I left the doctors office I sat in my car and cried (again), praying that the Lord wouldn’t let me miss Christmas. Wouldn’t let me miss it amidst sinus infections, messy houses, presents, cooking and an insanely busy schedule. The God of the world was made incarnate; He came in flesh, and THIS IS CHRISTMAS! My God, My King, My Maker, was born and lived a perfect life, dying a horrible death so that all my sins would be taken away, and on Christmas I get to celebrate His coming! What am I doing?! I’m looking at things here. At the hard, good, sad, things right in front of me (that are all very real and present) and I’m not sitting with my Maker (be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10). He is alive, Eternal, not changing, a Good God who knows and loves each one of us (His Children) so personally. When I stop and think of what I am really celebrating at Christmas I can’t help but have peace. Not peace that this world gives (that I got everyone the right Christmas present, or my house will one day be finished), but peace that this stuff down here is temporary and celebrating the birth of King Jesus–that lasts into eternity. I don’t know where you stand this Christmas — ready for tomorrow or just wishing it all away—but I do know that tomorrow we get to celebrate the birth of the One True King of the World and I’m praying and confessing friends that though this earthly life is tough and tiring, I will celebrate with JOY tomorrow! Our King has come, we are FREE from Sin, perfect Love is here!
Joy to the world, the Lord has Come!
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart, prepare Him room
And Heaven and Nature Sing
And Heaven and Nature Sing
Anddd Heaven and Nature Sing!!!
