He Came!

Today is Christmas! It is the day I have been anticipating for the last 364 days. It is worth celebrating......this birthday of the Savior. It may not be the exact anniversary of His coming, but the precise date is irrelevant to the acknowledgement of it.

Traditionally it is a day to get together with family and friends. The ways in which we observe the holiday are as boundless as the number of people who celebrate it. We may exchange gifts, share in a delicious meal, worship together, sing, play games, or sit around conversing with one another. People travel extensively in order to get "home" for Christmas. It is a season filled with joy!

Before you give up on my happy reflection on the commemoration of the day, please know that I understand it doesn't "feel" joyous to all. Sometimes life is extremely tough. People are lonely, jobless, in oppressive situations, broke, in poor health and the list goes on. The Christmas season can heap disappointment, despondency and even despair on a already dampened spirit. All the hustle, bustle, and the high expectations we put on ourselves and each other can affect even the cheeriest of persons. I personally love everything about Christmas, but I have to be careful myself not to succumb to what can become crazy activity rather than honoring the true reason of the day.

It is so easy to miss the point. So what is the point? It is the celebration of the fact that God came to earth. The first chapter of John says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Later in John we are reminded that because of God's love for us, he sent his son. But if our lives are difficult, if we are suffering or if we find ourselves in the midst of a life we didn't exactly sign up for we begin to wonder if God cares at all and we miss the point.

Do you remember a time in your life when you were involved in something special, something you enjoyed or an acheievement you worked hard to attain? It may have been a sporting event, a concert, an art fair, a performance or some other venture. You look up, searching for that certain someone in the crowd. Perhaps you longed to see your dad, your mom, a good friend, that teacher who encouraged you along the way. Your expectation is great, but it is an honest need, the need to know they care. We all long for someone who will champion for us. When they don't come the disappointment hits like a slap in the face. You wonder.....do they not care about me? Are they disinterested? Am I not worth their time?

But....if you look up, see them walk in, take a seat, maybe catch your eye, give a nod of the head or a wave, there is one resounding voice inside you that cries, "They came!" No other words are needed. They are there for you and you know in that moment how much you mean to them.

So it is with God. In our pain, the earthly struggle, and in the midst of suffering we ask similar questions. Does he not know what I am going through? Is He indifferent? Doesn't He love me?

So on this Christmas night, even if the season has been a tough one, I want to remind you of one all important thing, the reason we celebrate and how He demonstrates His great love for you..............HE CAME.