When I think of Christmas, I have happy memories growing up. My parents did not have a lot of money, but they always made Christmas morning special. My brother and I would have to wait for my maternal grandparents to arrive with the Winchell's donuts before we could open our gifts. There was not a large stack, but what we did get was fun.
Because we were so connected to our church (Hacienda Heights Baptist), there were choir concerts, and parties that would lead up to Christmas. My family would go on drives to see lights. We had extended family over for dinner. It was all very normal to me, and I thought everyone had the same experience as me.
My children have the same experience as I did. We have lots of family traditions that include baking, seeing lights, dinner with friends, a Bible Study party, and gathering with family. They think this is all normal and everyone has the same experiences.
Sometimes we all need to be reminded that Christmas time is not joyful for some. The loss of a loved ones is felt even more, the stress of a job and finances is heightened, and health issues can feel even more depressing. We all are all traveling through life with encounters that are not always pretty. If you were to travel across the United States, you would go through deserts that leave you thirsty and listless. There would be mountains to cross with windy roads that make you wonder when you will reach the top and start coasting down. There would be some beautiful countrysides that make would make you happy that you continued on your trip.
This Christmas I keep thinking of the journey of Mary and Joseph and how it relates to our personal journeys. Pastor Jim has been preaching an outstanding series called "On the Road", which has looked at the characters in the story of Jesus. Jim has addressed what the road looked like for the Magi, King Herod, the Shepherds, and (of course) Mary and Joseph. We have these pretty Christmas traditions, and joyful songs, but the reality is that the journey they were on (over two thousand years ago) was not picture perfect, fun, and comfortable. Yet, the Bible says, "Mary treasured these things in her heart." She knew deep down that God was orchestrating something special, and she was willing to set aside her comfort to follow God's will.
Are we willing to set aside our dreams and desires to follow Jesus? He never promises a scenic road, yet somehow when you are in the desert, or on the windy mountain road, you see His workings and it is beautiful. God gives new dreams and desires, and they are always more amazing that what our feeble minds could have thought up. His way is not always comfortable, but it is meaningful and purposeful. Pastor Jim asked us today who interrupted who. Perhaps we were the ones that interrupted God's plans. God is the great architect, and we need to set aside our sub-contractor blueprints for God's master plan.
As you unwrap gifts, and spend time with those you love the most, it is my wish that you remember the greatest gift came into the world to give you life eternal with God. I hope that you can get a glimpse of the master plan for your life as you ponder the amazing birth of Christ Jesus.
Merry Christmas,
Sandy
