Christmas is a time of joy
We sing: “T’is the season to be jolly. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la.” Christmas is a time of joy because more than any other time of the year, more than in any other season, the name Jesus is on our lips and the joyous song of the angels is in our heart: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Lk. 2:14).
Of course we don’t all sound like angels! At Winn Dixie, I passed a Salvation Army ding-a-ling woman who with a terrible voice was singing: “Joy To The World.” I smiled a “Merry Christmas” and she said: “I just sing to kill time.” I replied: “I admit you do have quite a weapon there.” No matter how terrible our voice, no matter how overwhelming the situation; music lifts our spirits and helps us to walk cheerfully through this world. Music is contagious. It creates a positive state of mind, moves us closer to God and helps us to see ourselves and others as children of God.
Soon it will be Christmas night and the cleanup will begin: the wrapping paper and boxes bagged and in the garbage, the Christmas CDs stored away having dutifully performed their annual rendition of chestnuts, white Christmases and red-nosed reindeers. It’s Christmas night, the dishes are washed and the leftover turkey is awaiting next week’s sandwiches, a size 36 is waiting to be exchanged for a size 40 and eggnog is half price. Soon life will be normal again. December’s generosity will become January’s payments.
But don’t pack up Christmas; don’t lose the magic of Christmas! Sing anthems of praise to Jesus each day of the year so that you will not lose the triumph in the message: “The glory of the Lord is Risen upon you, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord!” (Lk. 2:9). What wonderful news! A Savior! Look into the manger and see the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths becoming a man with His head wrapped in thorns. See that wound-wrapped body now wrapped in grave clothes. See the wrapped grave clothes lying empty as the dead body is now wrapped in resurrection glory. Catch the triumph of Christmas and then join “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever ! Amen!” Rev. 5:13).