The Worth of Christmas
December 21, 2010
About this time every year I find myself scrambling for an emotional connection, a proper appreciation for what is about to happen on the holiest night of the year. It’s not a matter of unbelief, or skepticism for the holiday. I have as much faith and holiday spirit as most, if not more. But somehow amidst all the decorating and baking and wrapping and caroling, inside I fall flat. Outwardly I smile and celebrate, but inwardly I’m trying to understand my inability to experience the wonder of Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, I try to place myself in Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. I open my heart, and hope something—the sermon, the music, the starry beauty of the sky—will connect with me, will make me feel the awe I felt as a child. I know the details, I understand the magnitude, the miraculousness of the event, but I don’t’ feel it. I read the Christmas story from the Bible, I give to charities, I pray for peace, I thank God for all the numerous gifts He has given to me, and yet, Christmas comes and goes, leaving me as empty and disillusioned as it always does. All I can do is feel disappointed in myself for not “getting it” another year.
Until now.
I was driving home one evening a few days ago listening to holiday music on the radio when it finally hit me. And I have one of the most popular Christmas songs to thank, a tune that nearly every church-goer hears on Christmas Eve. I know and love the melody, but I’m not sure I ever fully appreciated the words until now.
Oh, Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til he appeared and the soul felt it’s worth.
The soul felt it’s worth. That’s it. That’s what it’s all about. That’s all it’s ever been about. For Mary, for Joseph. For the shepherds and wisemen. For the little drummer boy and whoever else was there that first Christmas Eve.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that who-so-ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) God gave His only Son to show to us our worth, our value, our pricelessness. To make us understand how much we are loved. He gave us the ultimate gift of Himself, a gift that we today can understand the ramification of better than the shepherds who were standing over Jesus’ manger. Because we know that thirty-three years later he will be crucified for OUR sins. And with that knowledge comes an even bigger appreciation for the magnitude of such a gift, of such a demonstration of our worth.
That is what Christmas is all about. That is what should stir in our breast every Christmas Eve. The realization that no matter how lowly and unworthy we feel, God has already proven how highly prized we are, we all are. And that is the real reason we give presents and donate to charities, not just because of tradition and the fact that it seems like the right thing to do, but because we are called by Him to show others how much they are worth, to us and our Father.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees,
Oh, hear the angel voices,
Oh, night divine,
Oh, night, when Christ was born,
Oh, night divine,
Oh, night divine.
Imagine how overcome the shepherd, the lowliest of the lowly; humble Mary and Joseph; and even the wealthy wisemen must have felt upon being the first to receive the gift of Christ. Most of them were nobodies, and even the wisemen must have felt the despair of insignificance that plagues us all from time to time. And here, in one night, with one miraculous act, God showed them how wrong they were. How wrong we all are to feel unwanted, unloved, and inconsequential.
We are loved with every breath we take, worth every step we take, and prized above all else. Let it fill you, let it overflow your heart. Share it with others. And try to remember it the whole year through. Let it drive you to be your best, for Him, for yourself. For God wants us to remember our worth and let it inspire us to greatness. That is his gift to us. Life, love, worth.
God blesses us, everyone. Merry Christmas! |
