The reality is that Christmas is not about the presents under the tree, or the gathering of people around the table, or carol sings, or shopping. Christmas is about the miracle of love.
One of my favourite authors is Ann Weems. Her prose and poetry have been speaking to my heart for many years. In her book ‘Kneeling in Bethlehem” she offers a piece titled “Christmas Comes”.
As I sat at my desk yesterday and sent out the email regarding worship for this Christmas season I was reminded of the piece mentioned above. Christmas might be different than we want, as it was last year, and perhaps we might be tempted to just say “Let’s forget it all for this year”. But the reality is that Christmas is not about the presents under the tree, or the gathering of people around the table, or carol sings, or shopping. Christmas is about the miracle of love. A love that comes into a broken and a hurting world offering hope. And we are indeed surrounded by love.
Christmas Comes
by Ann Weems
Christmas comes every time we see God in other persons.
The Human and The Holy meet in Bethlehem
or in times square
for Christmas comes like a golden storm on its way to Jerusalem –
determinedly, inevitably….
Even now it comes
in the face of hatred and warring –
no atrocity too terrible to stop it,
no Herod strong enough,
no hurt deep enough
no curse shocking enough
no disaster shattering enough.
For someone on earth will see a star,
someone will hear the angel voices,
someone will run to Bethlehem,
someone will know peace and goodwill:
the Christ will be born.
See the star and hear the angel voices
So in the midst of the turmoil we find ourselves in my prayer is that you will see the star and hear the angel voices; that you will know peace and goodwill.
Blessings
Valerie