December 16th, 2020
I've been saddened by the cancellations of Christmas parties and gatherings this year. Family gatherings and meals have always been my favorite and something I want my siblings to experience. The laughs, the stories, the feasting, the gifts, and the love shared with grandparents, aunts and uncles at Christmas are all good things God has blessed us with. But, alas they are all things we will not get to experience like years before.
I understand 2020 has been more then disappointing, it has been worrisome and concerning. But, I have decided I will not let Christmas be made cheap by fear. I believe God has ordained everything to happen. Everything. We can not die, we can not get sick, we can not make others sick ourselves. A mask, a vaccine, and a law can not change that. God ordains everything. That being said, I do believe in safety, I do believe in being cautious, I do believe in being considerate of others health and well being. For example, if I knowingly have the flu, I will stay home. I believe we should take our health and the health, of others seriously. Even mental health, especially in the isolated elderly. But, one thing I believe more than anything is that Christ is to be celebrated to our fullest capacity. He is to be celebrated everyday, but perhaps especially on Christmas and events around Christmas. The day we set aside to celebrate His birth, the birth of our Savior. A day made up of gifts, songs, and family traditions done in the joy and celebration of the love Christ has shown us. I mean, come on! Christmas is a BIG day!
Christ is our Savior! Christ is our hope, peace and comfort. Not the government of the USA, not the soil of the USA, not the president of the USA, not the doctors of the USA. Our hope is to be in Christ alone. So sing "Hallelujah" to the top of your lungs!
Do not cheapen the joy of Christmas, the love of family and the peace we have in Christ with fear.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. Please read the words of this song...
"I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th' unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head "There is no peace on earth, " I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men."
Till ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men."
2020 is the time we need each other the most. The time our brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren need to experience joy. The time we need mamaws wisdom the most. The time we need Papaws laughs the most. The time we need the glory of feasting and raising toasts. The time we need the comfort of each others faces and voices and touch. A time the elderly need love the most. The poor, the sick, the bereaved need His people the most. Christmas 2020 will be a memory, how will the children remember it? Will they remember your fear or your joy? Don't let the government tell you what you should fear, when Christ has already told us what is good. Family is good. Christmas is good. Celebrating Christmas is good.
So, join me this year. Let's peal the bells more loud and deep. Let's set off the fireworks. Let's fire the shotguns. Let's light the bonfires. Let's lift our glasses. Let's dance. Let's sing the hymns. Because God is not dead nor does he sleep. THE WRONG WILL FAIL, THE RIGHT WILL PREVAIL. Shout Hallelujah! And Merry Christmas!!