For as long as I can remember Christmas has been my favorite time of year. Over the past week we have had numerous discussions about the Christmas season and the birth of Christ at the Veritas office. Through these I have began to evaluate my heart condition. This year as I reflect on the birth of Christ I am made aware of why I “love” Christmas and why I’m always let down. Here’s a couple realizations I’ve made:
- I have loved Christmas because I love myself. I love the idea of people giving me things, eating good food, and of course drinking Christmas Ale. Christmas allows me to be consumed by myself. It gives me that excuse to be selfish which I really don’t need.
- I have ignored the significance of Christ’s birth because it’s easier to pass it over than to deal with the junk in my life for which Christ had to be born. If I really dwell on what it means for the eternally existent God of the universe to take on flesh for my sin, there’s a good chance that I will be convicted of that sin. Conviction always makes life difficult for me.
I’m let down after Christmas because I constantly make myself the hero of the Christmas story. This year I’m thankful to be surrounded by folks who gently remind me that Geoffrey isn’t the center of the story. I'm most thankful to be loved by God despite all my junk and how easily I forget him. It’s a great blessing to be in a community where I am reminded of God’s love for me because I so often make life about my love for God.
So there are my Christmas realizations...
Merry Christmas!
