Rockwell Christmas Magic—For Real?
Like many this season, I have been watching the Hallmark Christmas movies. While I enjoy the fluff, there are some more serious stories that grab my attention. Maybe it’s because I look for hope, faith and substance. Those are the stories that really seem to stick and make me think. What does Christmas mean if it does not contain those very elements?
The human condition seems to loom much larger during the Holiday Season every year. Most people know this. Yet, we seem to party hardier than at any other time of the year. Could it be that we try to cover over our spiritual bankruptcy? We spend as much money as possible in the month of December for gifts, parties and events—perhaps to fill the emptiness that we sense within us.
The Norman Rockwell Christmases belong to yesteryear. We admire the paintings, we love the stories, but we really don’t want to live our lives there. Still, we hope that Christmas will spin the same kind of magic as yesteryear. Then, after the New Year, we pop back into our normal today’s culture—until next Christmas.
So—What?
What is this all about? A yearning for true joy and fulfillment? Maybe so—but on our terms. This allows us to continue our pretending and spin I place.
Understand that I love the glitz of Christmas. I blogged about it before. (https://lindajoreed.com/upheld-welcoming-the-light-of-the-world/ )All the lights, goodies, gifts, pagentry, parties brighten the darkness of winter. That can only be a good thing.
True Joy—God Is For Us
However, true joy means to open our hearts to the Truth that God is intimately interested and involved in our lives. He rejoices in our development—emotionally, spiritually, using the talents He’s given us to walk in the paths of life ordained for us.
God loves us and enjoys us in the same way that we enjoy our children. Without restraint. He finds joy in our steps to growth. He cries with us in our sorrows. He claps His hands in encouragement in our accomplishments.
Immanuel—God Is With Us
God sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Because we have a need. He came to save us from our sins and reunite us with the God and Father who made us in His Image. Who made us to be in companionship with Him.
This is the reason for rejoicing. The lights of Christmas are bright and twinkly, but they fade in comparison with the True Light Who came to offer Himself for us and give us a glorious eternity.
There really IS magic in Christmas! But it belongs to eternity and that’s looking forward!
Celebrate!
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6.
Leave a Reply