I saw my first Christmas tree the week before Thanksgiving this year. Having no other way to transport his tree, a man was walking down a street in Hillsboro with his evergreen in a shopping cart; he wheeled it back to his apartment. A couple of days later, trees started appearing at various locations near our home, for sale, days prior to celebrating the first of the holidays, Thanksgiving.
Every year, Christmas decorations, wrappings, and special gifts appear earlier and earlier in the stores. Before Halloween, it’s not too hard to find displays going up with candy canes, ornaments, and the newest toys.
I am so blessed to work at the church and to be surrounded with elements of that Christmas spirit from the day after Thanksgiving onward. I like to make the most of that small amount of time, before Christmas passes us again, and we ring in a New Year. But why are we in such a hurry to celebrate Christmas and to participate in all of its preparations and activities? I used to have a problem with the Christmas season coming earlier and earlier each year. I shook my head at Christmas music prior to Thanksgiving Day. Lights and wreaths going up seemed to encroach upon the autumn leaves and their rightful place.
Now I think I’ve put my finger on the reason we usher Christmas in so early.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds keeping watch, the angel declared, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
For us, Christmas is indeed good news of great joy! We rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and we share this good news throughout the season in the giving of gifts, in family gatherings, in parties with friends, in worship, and in thanksgiving to the Lord. We want to experience this ‘Christmas Spirit,’ this joy that we know comes from Jesus Christ, from the gift of our Lord to us in his Son.
There are plenty of opportunities at Orenco this month to experience that joy. Our Bible studies, youth groups, service opportunities, Alpha, and worship services all express that joy we receive by this Good News. Of course, our time together culminates in two very special worship services on Christmas Eve. As we make our way through this season together, however, consider how this Christmas Spirit may last us through the year. This joy is offered to us at all times, not only in the holiday season. This Good News – that joy we feel most intimately at Christmas – is joy available to us at all times. Pay attention to Christ’s movement by the Holy Spirit this season in your life and in the lives of the church and those closest to you. Pay attention to His presence with you as we celebrate the culmination of the season in the birth of Jesus Christ, but also experience Him with us as we put our decorations and gifts away. Let us celebrate together all that He has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and a blessed season to all of you! In His name, Rachel
As we make our way through this season together, however, consider how this Christmas Spirit may last us through the year. This joy is offered to us at all times, not only in the holiday season. This Good News – that joy we feel most intimately at Christmas – is joy available to us at all times. Pay attention to Christ’s movement by the Holy Spirit this season in your life and in the lives of the church and those closest to you. Pay attention to His presence with you as we celebrate the culmination of the season in the birth of Jesus Christ, but also experience Him with us as we put our decorations and gifts away.
Let us celebrate together all that He has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and a blessed season to all of you! In His name,
Rachel