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This Christmas

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I’ve spent time thinking this week about the things keeping me from resting and enjoying Christmas. I feel aware of the extra work I have to do this season while I know people who are already on vacation. I find myself wondering when the Christmas magic will set in for me, and worrying that I might miss it. 

And then I think of all the others who will put in work to create that magic for others. Or those who work to keep us safe and fed and alive, even when the rest of the world shuts down. 

And I realize that no adult is out here just fully basking in Christmas cheer without any part to play in making it happen. When you’re young it often all happens for you. As we grow up we each find our part to play in making it happen. 

I want stop longing for that childhood time of watching it unfold, and find joy in the part I get to play. 

This is about more than just Christmas, it’s really how we work in the world all year long. 

My neighbor who mows lawns up and down the street most of the year brings us joy with his Christmas lights at the corner. 
The parents who stay up late wrapping presents tonight have been losing sleep all year giving their little loved ones what they need. 

The mail deliverer working late, in the dark and cold, bringing those last minute gifts and cards…has been walking, driving, through the seasons, avoiding dogs, smiling at neighbors, bringing us the bills we don’t want and the prescriptions we need. 

This Christmas, let’s not dress up our work too much. I love the things that make it extra special. But I need to remember that we’re sweating it out, giving each other what we need to make the magic happen in our own homes. We work to bring joy in others even when we are lonely or tired or sad. 

As we celebrate Emmanuel this week—God with us—we need to remember that He doesn’t just show up in a perfectly clean home with a stack of presents under the tree. He meets us in our working, our resting, our loneliness, our grief, and our joy. 

He meets us too, in the injustice. I can’t write all this and pretend it’s all the same for everyone, when those working hardest this year aren’t getting what they deserve. 

“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:46-55

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