He Has Risen, Risen Indeed.

Christmas season has always been my very favorite time of year. In fact, since I was a little girl the tree had to be up before my birthday on December 6^th. Even in College, my apartment never went without a Christmas tree with all the decorations, which was pretty silly since in mid December I always went home for the holidays.

I love everything about Christmas from the twinkling lights inside and out to the garland lined stair railings to front doors crowned with gorgeous wreaths of ribbon, ornaments and berries.   Broadcasting in every store, on radio stations everywhere, Bing Crosby fills our imaginations with visions of what it would be like to have a white Christmas with colorful lights glowing off the snowy roof tops. 

When I think of the holidays, I imagine myself scrolling up and down television channels searching for the perfect holiday Hallmark movie while snuggled up in a fleece blanket by a flickering fire, my feet cozy with furry socks, and my hands cupped around a warm cup of cocoa topped with marshmallows.

With all the great things about Christmas, there are also those dreaded holiday stresses from family, to travelling and holiday shopping.

Not to mention, that so many dread the holidays because they’ve lost loved ones. The Holidays make us miss our loved ones more than ever as past holiday memories and traditions that were lost with the death flood our minds. The true spirit of Christmas is replaced with a sorrowful holiday ache in the heart, one that only temporarily goes away when Christmas is finally over. 

There have been many times while holiday shopping, I’ve passed a Cowboy Santa, a Denim jacket with rhinestones or a piece of costume jewelry that I know if my Grandma  were alive, she would love. Yes, I miss her and the holidays bring that out.

One year while walking in downtown Fredericksberg,  I saw a battery operated puppy that rolled on the floor and giggled. That silly little dog would be the perfect gift for my Grandpa if he were still alive. Each Christmas someone would give him a gag gift that would make him burst out with one of his deep and contagious Santa Claus laughs. I miss hearing that laugh, feeling those hugs and seeing his smile. A simple passing of a Hickory Farm stand in the mall, reminds me of my Pa. We gave him a Hickory Farm sausage- cheese box every year, and he always let me have the cute strawberry wrapped candy which was usually embedded in the straw-like green grass.

It’s so easy to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas by either being dazzled by presentation of the season, getting completely stressed out, getting annoyed with family, getting caught up in the materialism of it all or focusing on those lost loved ones instead of fully enjoying and cherishing those still with us.

Every year I love to go look at lights, watch a holiday parade or go see a Christmas production of some kind.

Years ago, I went to a Christmas Show at the biggest Baptist Church in Austin.  The music, the theatrics and the costumes were over the top. Being a drama girl in the past, I love all the flare of a Christmas production.

 The last Christmas show I went to at this big church was awesome. With starry eyes and a kid like grin, I watched excitedly as three Wisemen entered the back of the auditorium to magnificent music in the most elaborate costumes of gold and purple.

The last time I went the play,  the music and the  sermon were outstanding. So last year, when I saw the dates on the Christmas show, I was quick to ask my husband if we could go and take the kids.

We sat down on an a row that had an aisle directly in front of us so no one was in front of us to block our view of the production. I sat on the edge of my seat anticipating something similar to what I watched before.

I kept watching and waiting and watching and waiting. There were no big productions, no shiney costumes, no fantastic vocal talent, and no Christmas play with actors. I have to say that I was very disappointed and feeling a little down about dragging my kids out at night for this.

My eyes soon shifted from the lack of real drama on the stage to an usher that was pushing a very large man in on a wheel chair. He pushed him right in front of us and parked him in the aisle with a bench directly in front of him. 

The back of his wheel chair was lined with what looked like a 100 plastic grocery bags. At one point in his life he probably towered over people being close to 7 foot tall; he could have easily been an NBA player. Now his long back hunched in his chair, and his two broken legs wrapped in casts seemed to drag beyond the length of the wheel chair.

He had deep scars on both long legs, and his extremely swollen feet probably size 16 or higher were partially encased with worn out torn shoes gaping open with no laces. His legs red, scarred, swollen and both broken looked so painful. 

As I looked at him, I wondered if someone had run over him. What on earth had happened to this poor man’s legs and feet? In fact, what had happened to him in his life? Where is his family? What was his story?

I hugged my son close as I looked at this broken man and couldn’t help think that he is someone’s baby too.

He lowered his head often placing it on the bench in front of him seeming to take in every hymn and every scripture spoken. When the orchestra played and the chorus started;  he lifted his head and  his eyes gazed up at the shining cross on the big movie screen.

The minister asked all of us to stand and to sing a song which lyrics gave all the glory of the season to God.  Right then, I witnessed the most incredible thing. With two broken legs, painfully swollen oversized feet and both of his hands placed on the bench in front of him, I watched in amazement as he used all of his might, strength and endurance to pull himself to a standing position so that he could  honor the Lord properly.

What a magnificent thing to see a broken man force through his pain to stand and honor God, to praise God. .

At that moment, I knew God was speaking to me.  “Shea, remember…. it’s not about the costumes; it’s not about the productions of the season; it’s about me.”

 Christmas is about Christ and his love for us. Christ has risen and risen indeed.  And this broken man had risen to honor his King. He did not come for the costumes. He did not come to see a dramatic production. This broken man came with a pure heart and for no other reason except to worship the Savior.

For me this was a vivid reminder not to forget the real reason for the season. We should all RISE to the occasion and never forget the Christ in Christmas. It’s not about the décor,  not about the gifts,  not about the parties, not about the productions, not about the losses; it’s about the gift  Christ has offered us to have an everlasting life with him in the Kingdom of God.

 Scriptures of the Season:

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28, ESV)

Preceded by a messenger (John the Baptist)
A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)

Born in Bethlehem
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2)

Born of a virgin
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Called out of Egypt
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1)

God Incarnate, the King of the Universe
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 increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

 1. What Christ like actions can you do  to serve others this holiday season ?

2. What traditions can you start with your family that puts the true meaning of Christmas back into the season?

3. Is there something that you need to pray about concerning the holidays? ( helping you see the good, helping you with stresses, helping you to enjoy the holidays?)