When I sat down to finally flesh out this post, I decided to look back at what I had written previously about Christmas. It turns out that I wrote a post almost 2 years ago that is very similar to what I was planning on covering in this post. So, instead of being creative, I may just be forgetful – hard to say. Nevertheless, enjoy.
For Christians and non-Christians alike, the Christmas season is often a joyous time. Something about this time of year causes people to look beyond themselves and be more charitable towards their fellow man. Instead of focusing solely on what we want, we spend a little more time thinking about what we can do to bring others joy.
The Christmas season is also a time for traditions and family. Some of my favorite holiday traditions are the ones that Andy and I developed during our time in college (centered around W&M’s winter traditions, of course). This year will be a new adventure as my holiday traditions will change for the first time in my memory. Andy and I will get to have new Christmas fun as a family. 🙂
In addition to our personal traditions, the holidays always bring special services and events at church. During these times of celebration with our church family, I am (apparently always) struck by this thought: There is no Christmas without the Cross. When I hear stories and sermons and dramas and cantatas (which I enjoy immensely) about the Christmas story, more often than not I find myself feeling somber because I know that despite all of the celebration for his birth, the cross is coming.
Certainly there are many times that pondering the Christmas story leads me to awe and praise for the amazing event that is God, the all-powerful, eternal one, coming to earth in the form of a child, but I can’t stop my mind from fast forwarding through the story. I always end up at the cross. I always end up remembering that this child, this man, this Savior came to earth with a purpose. He came to provide a way for humanity to be reunited to himself through his death on the cross and resurrection three days later.
So, this Christmas let’s celebrate – God became man and dwelt among us. But let’s also celebrate because Jesus, that same God-man came with a mission to defeat death and reconcile us to himself through the cross.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)
Much Love,
Sarah
Adventures of Our Own 