Let us harken back to a simpler time, a simpler
Christmas Eve. A time when family gatherings during this blessed time of year
were centered around the story of a Savior Child sent from a loving Father. The
story read by a humble father or mother from the Book of Luke, as candles or
oil lamps flickered shadows on the walls while a warm fire was popping cheerily
in the hearth, or radiating from a stove. And the smell of fresh baked bread,
cookies and treats hang in the air, having been prepared for the glorious
tomorrow when the celebration begins.
And let us harken to those Christmas Eve church
services, when the preacher heartily gives his best sermon, calling for lost
sinners to believe in the gift from God in Heaven. To accept the teachings of
that child born so lowly, born in a manger and destined for a throne. And for
the congregation to hear the angels words spoken to a girl named Mary, a
betrothed man named Joseph, and to shepherds tending flocks during the night.
And let us hear the songs once again, sung by choirs
and congregations, with heartfelt thanks to the birth we are to celebrate,
songs of Glory and Hallelujahs, songs of praise and of wise men bringing
precious gifts of Gold, Incense and Myrrh. Voices lifted in unison towards
Heaven, to the ears of our Most High God, joining with the angels and the ages
in humble joy.
Let us reflect on the boy or girl on Christmas
morning, and the excitement of a few presents under the tree. Presents given in
love by knowing parents, who could not afford much, but gave gifts that would
teach and guide year round. First some fruit, an orange or two and an apple.
Maybe there was some hard candy thrown in. Then the bigger present. Maybe the
little girl got a new doll and some ribbons. Besides pretending to have tea
parties, mother can help show her how to make new dresses with a little fabric,
needle and thread. Those are times the little girl would remember with a warm
heart into her old age.
And the little boy receives a pocket knife, not the
most expensive, but a good solid one. With that knife, he can carve a sling
shot from a tree branch and bring a squirrel home for supper, or make a wooden
gun to guard against savages in the night. His father can set with him on cool
summer evenings, passing the twilight hours whittling and conversing together,
passing knowledge from father to son. Such gifts seem trivial now, but they
were gifts that lasted a lifetime.
And let us harken to the sound of Church bells on
Christmas morning, wringing throughout the city and the countryside, as once
again Christians gathered on this day. This day is a day to give thanks. Thanks
for Blessings the Lord has seen fit to bestow of his Children. Thanks for the
love of a Creator who comes down to His creation to save them from themselves.
Thanks for the promises of Heaven, and together with other believers we will
cry Holy, Holy, Holy to our Lord God Almighty, who is and will forever be! And
thanks to the Son of God, Jesus Christ Himself, who takes away the sin of the
world to those who believe and trust in Him.
Finally, lets us harken back and return to the
holiness the celebration so richly deserves. That the reason for His coming was
not for vast and expensive presents, for parties or Christmas bonuses. Nor did
He come to make people depressed. He did not come to condemn but to speak the
truth. Harkin back to the original reason why Jesus the Messiah came, He came
out of LOVE.
