(EDITOR’S NOTE: Reflections on a blog post by Christa Hesselink, “Why We’re Drawn to Mistletoe, Twinkly Lights and Gingerbread,” posted 11/26/2016.)
Some people can hardly wait to crack open his or her box – make that boxes – of Christmas decorations. My younger sister would love to put up Christmas decorations and break out the Christmas music in October, but she restrains herself until November… most years.
What is it about the glitz and glitter, the cookies and candy, the mistletoe and the music – and the movies – at Christmas time? I think it’s all about hope, or waiting and wanting something special to happen. According to Christa Hesselink, “They’re looking for the mysterious and the magical to sweep them away!” Perhaps we all are!
There’s something in us that craves the beautiful, the peaceful and the sweet. We look around us and it can be discouraging as news tends to pick up on the negatives. We want something that’s too good to be true to actually be true! Isn’t that what people mean by the “magic of Christmas?”
Hesselink describes our desires as follows: “We want the snow to fall softly and perfectly. We want the hot cocoa by the fire to calm us. We want the mistletoe to be firing on all cylinders and be fully operational(!), and we want a table full of our family and friends to fill the house with laughter. Isn't every single Christmas movie about the quest for the "perfect" Christmas and all the conflict to overcome to get it?”
All of us need a miracle!
Another name for this season just before Christmas is “Advent,” which means arrival, start, beginning and dawn. It’s a season that looks, not at the end of a year, but to the beginning of something new. This is not only a season of hope, but a season of promise.
“We wait in the dark longing for the light. We long for the miraculous to break in and change things – for love to break in and heal a messed up world – for peace to fill our globe and our hearts – for joy to bubble over and drive out our fears,” says Christa Hesselink.
In the Bible, the prophet Isaiah spoke to this inherent need in all of us. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). Then a few verses later we find out who the light is:
“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.
“And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
“Christmas, Advent, is the celebration of Jesus’ arrival, past and present. It’s about God breaking into real life long ago and again into your life and mine today. He broke into this world and pierced it with new light and life and He continues to knock at our doors, hoping to break into our lives in fresh new ways. As we look around us at Christmastime, we catch glimpses of this love and life and light and hope, all of which can all be found in Jesus Christ.
“This new beginning has already cracked open. Shades of love have already been seen, echoes of peace have been heard, and vibrations of joy have been felt. I believe this is why we celebrate. This is why we love the twinkly lights and the traditions. This is why we set apart the season - because deep down our hearts recognize what is good, and true, and right - and we long for it all to be made right. “We keep being drawn to the light because this is where we belong. We keep waiting for the promise to come true,” says Hesselink.
One of my favourite verses in the Bible is found in Jeremiah 29:13. “And you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Here is hope! I’m so glad God has promised to make Himself known to us. And that’s just what He did in Jesus. God became a human being. He lived among us and showed us who He is in a way we can see. Read about Him this Advent season – read through one of the gospels in the Bible – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.
And so, when you experience the glitz and glitter, cookies and candy, mistletoe and music, may you be reminded of the only One “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20). May you seek Him and find Him this Christmas. Merry Christmas!
