Too Soon For Christmas?

TOO SOON FOR CHRISTMAS?    By: Pastor Dorothy Wilcox

 When the Hallmark Channel began playing only Christmas movies on November 1st this year, I was taken aback!  “Too soon!” I thought to myself as I resolved not to watch until an appropriate time.

 But it didn’t take long until I decided just to peek when I noticed an old favorite in the TV listings.  And now that I think about it, is there such a thing as “too soon” for Christmas?

 As Christians we are called to live expectantly watching for Jesus to return.  Thanksgiving became more than just a time to look back and thank God for all the blessings of the past year, it was also a reminder of the greatest blessing: the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.

 Instead of falling into the trap of four hectic weeks of preparation, with interspersed moments of Christian reflection, I feel much more filled with joy and real anticipation.  Being so aware of the “already and not yet” of Christmas, feeling it was “already and not yet” in my own daily life, has given me a new enthusiasm for what is probably everyone’s favorite time of year.

 We live in expectation, and therefore in preparation for, Jesus to return.  Both Matthew and Mark tell us that Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

 Let the Christmas movies play, and bring on the Christmas carols!  Let the whole world glimpse the joy of Christian living!  Let kindness, generosity, and gladness fill our days!  We can faithfully peel back the layers of Santa to see the discipleship of Saint Nicholas.  We can be mindful that the gifts of Christmas are symbols of the Gift of Christ.  As Scrooge said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.”

Come and sing some Christmas carols and share some cookies on the Wednesday evenings in December.  We can enjoy our time together as we look at how each gospel tells a different perspective of the coming of Jesus.  Or join us for “The Muppets Christmas Carol” on the big screen.

 Can you imagine if the whole world lived every day in anticipation of Christmas, of Christ’s coming into the world?  How can it be “too soon” for that!  And so, a little more from Charles Dickens, “And it was always said of him [Scrooge], that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”

 May God bless you and fill you every day with the hope and joy of new life in Jesus Christ!