(Originally Posted December 16, 2020)

“'Bah, humbug" no, that's too strong
Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year's been a busy blur
Don't think I have the energy
To add to my already mad rush
Just cause it's 'tis the season

This is the opening of “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, the only (famous) new wave Christmas song. And though it was written almost 40 years ago I think these lines might be more relatable than ever in the year that has been 2020. There has been a weird sense this year that the days are long, but the months are fast. Back in March we thought we’d hunker down for a little while, then we blinked, and now it’s Christmas time. Without hitting the normal rhythms or milestones of the year it can be hard to just switch on our festive face and get ready to celebrate.

It’s easy for Christmas to become a checklist of things to do. Put up a tree? Check. Hang lights? Check. Buy presents? Check. Recognize that born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord; a Savior who will save his people from their sins. Maybe check?

One of those seems a little more important that the others. This year, this 2020, though it has been awful for many valid reasons, the year when all we want is to rest from the stress and anxiety and chaos we have been feeling, ends with a reminder of hope to come. Hope born in a manger and wrapped in rags. I pray that you can look to that hope and find the strength to celebrate the true meaning of this season.

Paul prays for us in Ephesians 3:14-21,

“14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”