Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! My Heart is so full during the holiday season. Even in years when tragedies struck or in the more recent past, when I was facing more treatment, I always fought to experience the joy that has been mine every December since I can remember. Let’s just get this out of the way now: this is not a post about “the reason for the season” or “keeping Christ in Christmas.” I love Jesus and the Christmas season is sacred to me, and for this reason I celebrate! I am an all-in, card-sending, Amazon-shopping, stocking-stuffer buying, Christmas movie watching, whole house-decorating, carol-singing, angel tree-giving girl celebrating the birthday of Jesus. I just don’t see that celebrating has to be either-or. We don’t have to put our holly jolly java aside to enjoy a quiet moment with Jesus, my Lord. And I think He might get a kick out of some of our festivities.

Growing up, I was never confused about why we celebrated Christmas. I thought nothing of drawing a picture of the nativity while singing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. No, this wasn’t the result of my parents telling a small child that Santa was fictitious. In fact, I don’t think I ever confessed I knew who Santa was. And He still sends me a box of goodies for my stocking every year. Strange, the return address is the same as my mom’s…. I certainly did not get my love of the festivities from my daddy. He was a bit of a Scrooge. He loved Jesus, loved his family, and was discreetly generous to those in need. He didn’t need all the fanfare to celebrate anything, and certainly not Christmas. However, he was always pleasant on Christmas day, and was usually the one to go with us girls to get the Christmas tree.

I do not ever remember a time when my parents intentionally reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. They just lived out their faith as did my grandparents, 24/7/365. They did not treat Jesus like the Christmas decorations, taking Him out in December and putting Him away after the holiday. We talked to Him often, when we prayed together at dinner, and at night one-on-one before bed. And as I grew and matured, my relationship with Him did as well.

I have come to know Him as the Bible describes Him. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. My favorite, however, is Emmanuel, which means God With Us. Literally, the Holy Son of God who set aside his kingly privilege to come to earth fully human. Jesus came to Earth as a baby, born in a manger to ordinary people. He cut teeth, skinned His knees, and loved His mama. He learned the trade of carpentry, and when the time was right, began His ministry. Not as a celebrity pastor, but as a kind person who cared about people, all people. He came so that we could better understand God His father. He told us that to know Him is to know God. He drew people to Him because He was humble, trustworthy, kind. He took part in human celebrations, performing His first miracle at a wedding turning water into wine after the host’s supply had run out. He loved children. He associated with society’s outcasts. He studied scripture and took time alone to pray. He experienced physical pain and suffering, His heart hurt, He was betrayed, He was tempted, He experienced dread of the rough road ahead. He showed compassion toward the human condition; physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I celebrate because if Jesus hadn’t been born, He wouldn’t have shown us all how to live, wouldn’t have died for us, and wouldn’t have conquered death for us all. We wouldn’t have the peace of knowing that this life is not all there is, that we have the hope of being reunited with loved ones gone before us, and we don’t have to fear passing away before those we love.

And although He does not physically walk the earth anymore, He is very much alive and present if allow Him into our lives. Jesus is a true friend. He sees me. He knows me. Don’t we all want that? Humans will always fail us. Even if in small ways. We will even disappoint those we love, but He never does. He loves us and wants the best for us. He wants us to believe in Him, to love Him, to have faith in Him, to trust Him. In fact, He will take the minimum…just believe and you will have eternal life. He wants all of you, but He’ll take what you allow. He is not pushy, He is patient. He gave us free will to choose. He is just as concerned about the poor as He is the preacher. He loves the derelict as much as the doctor. He is slow to anger, patient and kind. He is a good listener: never too busy or distracted. And He cares about your hurt feelings as much as much as my cancer. No problem or pain is too small to receive his full attention. I think He smiles when I am happy, chuckles when I laugh, and weeps when I cry. He is there when I am afraid, when I feel alone. In the dark of night when those who love me have drifted into sleep, He alone provides peace in His presence as I toss and turn, trying not to worry about my health, my kids, my family.  When no one understands me, when I don’t understand myself, He does. When no one is answering my call, He is there. Emmanuel, God with us. He means the world to me, and for that I celebrate.

Often, people who don’t believe ask, why, if He loves us so much, doesn’t He provide for the poor, heal the sick, and prevent terrible things from happening? Well, He does. Jesus is the same today as when He lived as a human. He is a healer, advocate, friend. I am walking proof that He still heals and performs miracles. From a liver riddled with tumors and cancer in my bones to literally no evidence of disease. Yes, He used medicine, but my response to the medicine has been remarkable, a “deep response” according to the latest report. But, through tears this morning, I tell you that I don’t know why one of my dearest friends, who also knows and loves Jesus, hasn’t received complete healing. Yet. I pray expectantly that she will. Because He can. I continue to believe He will. I think maybe He doesn’t always heal or keep bad things from happening because if all was perfect in the world, what would draw us to Him? He wants us to trust Him. Even when life is not turning out the way we humans think it should. And trusting Him doesn’t always help my heart when I or someone I care about gets bad news or leaves this earth. But I know He wants us to have a full life on earth, and life after death. He is our hope. Our light in a dark world, our peace in unsettling times.

So, at Christmas time, I celebrate Jesus, this dear friend of mine, this God with me, in many ways. Like most of us, I sometimes get myself into a tizzy because my calendar is too full or because I still have a million things on my to-do list, but there is always a quiet moment in front of the Christmas tree, an evocative Christmas song while I am driving, or an angelic choir that re-centers me. He doesn’t want us to separate our relationship with Him from any part of our lives. He wants all of us. He wants to be with us at our worst and at our best. And so, my hope and prayer is that you won’t think about carving out time for Jesus just during this holiday season; don’t put Him away with your decorations. I want you to know Him as an ever-present friend, because you will love Him, and He already loves you.

For those of you who believe, it is my prayer that you will have relationship with Him all year long. That you freely celebrate Him this season in the way that is most joyful for you. If that means you are an all-in, decorating before Thanksgiving, jumping into the frenzy kind of person, then go for it! And, if you prefer a candlelight Christmas Eve service singing Silent Night as the sum total of your celebration, enjoy every solemn, holy minute.

For those who don’t know Him, it is my prayer that your world will intersect with someone who will show you His love. That you will be drawn to someone who finds joy in tough circumstances, who perseveres through tragedy, through their selfless generosity, a kind word, a song. That you will know someone who displays inexplainable hope and peace, who humbly says the source is Jesus. I pray that someone will introduce you to Him. Because I understand it is impossible to love someone you don’t know. And I pray that you will lean in when you feel that gentle nudge from Him as He waits for you.

I pray for all of you who may be lonely this Christmas, anxious, or afraid. For those who are estranged from family or friends. For those who have an empty seat at your table. Look for Jesus. He is there. He will gladly accept an invitation to be with you.

And, so, I guess this post is about Jesus being the reason for the season and keeping the Christ in Christmas after all. Emmanuel, God with us, all year, every day, every hour. Good days and bad days. He never leaves. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, where I will continue living Between the Scans.

See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23

Click here to see my 2021 Christmas post.