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 Like most children at that age I was lost in all
the wonder and mystery of Christmas. I was not concerned how the
gifts appeared under the tree and had no clue that there was any
hard work involved in celebrating the Holy Day. For me, Christmas
was simply to be experienced and enjoyed.
Today is a different story. My innocence is gone and I know all too
well what it takes to celebrate Christmas. I realize now that one of
those Wise Men was my own father and among all the other things he
had to do to help the congregation celebrate Jesus’ birth, he was
now filling in for one who had become ill. As we all know, Christmas
can be fun and at the same time, exhausting.
Then, we add in the other problems of the world, the war overseas,
the fragile economy, people marching in the streets here and around
the world, demanding a better way of life and the enduring of a
presidential election. Suffering and grief are common this Christmas
and we have more people looking for work and help just to survive.
Yet, for me, in spite of all the problems, I still get lost in the
wonder and mystery of Christmas. It is, for me, the amazing story of
how God chose to come to earth, in human form, to save us.
And, the wonder is not found in all the pretty lights and beautiful
decorations, although I enjoy those too. And, it is not found in the
packages under the tree or in all that wonderful food that gets
served every holiday season.
But, rather it is when our hearts are gathered together in song and
praise, prayer and worship and the candles are lit and we realize
that God has come into our lives and our souls. Singing “Silent
Night” in German, hearing the Gospel of Luke being read and watching
the kids struggle for their lines in the pageant, it all transforms
me into a wide-eyed child again and brings me hope in our busy and
troubled world.
It is the hope of all the ages, that we are not left to our devices.
That in the midst of our troubles and pain, and sin and darkness,
God sends a light of hope and salvation. In the midst of fear there
is faith, in the midst of sadness there is joy, in the midst of pain
there is healing, and in the midst of hopelessness there is hope.
It is the comforting knowledge that God has come to rule our lives
and produce order out of chaos, and that God is in charge no matter
what the rulers and leaders of this world may say or do.
It is the promise of everlasting life when our days on earth are
over and it is the knowing God’s promises are true and can be
trusted.
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Especially in the Christmas season, you and I both
know that we do not deserve such a wonderful gift, as Jesus our
Lord, and yet God gives Him to us without question or reserve.
Because of the cross, the manger becomes a place of worship and
because of God’s grace, the gift is free and all we have to do is
accept it.
Many a Christmas has passed since that night in a small church in
Jamestown, Illinois and many wonderful experiences of Christmas have
come and gone since then, and each year my faith is reaffirmed by
the one born in Bethlehem. I look forward to it happening again this
year.
Perhaps more than ever, I seek the Christ in the lives of the family
and friends and fellow believers, for it is in their eyes that I see
this wonder of the great mystery of Christmas.
Join me and all of us as we journey one more time to Bethlehem where
we will hear angels sing and hear the good news, “That unto us, is
born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.”
Rev. Ken Kramer
Pastor at St. John United Church of Christ
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