Happy Is a Verb

Every day I find more things to love about Christmas and December. It's the most wonderful time of the year for so many reasons.

Just the other day after work I said to Scott, "This is my favorite time of day in December." Typically, I come home, put on some Christmas flannel pants, warm up a corn bag to cuddle up with, start a Christmas movie and curl up on the couch for a power nap. Fifteen minutes max. When I wake it's dark out and all the lights in our house are twinkling. Aaaaah, I love it!

But as good as that may be, the truth is the early morning time is probably my most favorite. I seem to be in a new stage of life where I don't sleep well.  I can fall asleep like a champ, but stay asleep til morning - not so much.

There is an upside. I get to sit and gaze at this while I observe Advent with the full attention of my truest love, Jesus.

We sit here together every morning while it is still dark. It's quiet so I can listen better. I'm so hungry for Him to reveal a new truth from the very familiar story of His birth. I'm watching for Him to show up in a new way and He never disappoints.

Just yesterday I was reading in Matthew 2 and came across this that I've read at least 75 times over the years about the Wise Men:

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts. 2:10,11

I didn't rush past. Three actions jumped out: 

1. They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 

2. They fell down and worshiped Him. Fell down people! When was the last time you fell down on purpose or because you couldn't respond any other way?

3. They offered Him gifts. This is a rabbit trail and I'm not going to go there today.

That first highlighted phrase is what really popped. They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. That's a lot of adjectives, I thought. God is trying to paint a picture here for us. This verse should land with fireworks! It's almost like saying, 'They were happy beyond happy with overwhelming happiness!'

Check it out in the Message:

Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

The Living Bible:

 Their joy knew no bounds! Entering the house where the baby and Mary, his mother, were, they threw themselves down before him, worshiping. Then they opened their presents and gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Phillips:

 The sight of the star filled them with indescribable joy!

Seems to me the Wise Men are like the most hyper morning loving person jacked up on coffee with espresso shots that you've ever seen. You know, the kind you either avoid because they get on your last nerve or the kind you are drawn to because of their incessant joy. Maybe secretly you'd like some of that to rub off on you.

Interestingly, as I consider all the movies, church pageants, and Christmas programs I've watched, this is not how the Wise Men are typically portrayed.

No, usually they are reserved, respectful, reverent, slow. All good things, of course, and very appropriate. But that's not what the Bible says. I get the impression they were high-fiving! Jumping for joy! Giddy with happiness! These men were having a party! They finally were led straight to what they'd been studying and waiting for! They had laid eyes on the co-Creator of the Universe. The Kind of Kings. Their Savior. It was the best day of their lives.

I may or may not be one of those annoying Christmas-loving, happy people. I've noticed the reaction from others. Some smile and celebrate with me. Others groan and try to bring me 'back to reality' or at the very least, ignore.

In recent days I've heard statements similar to these:

"I'm just not into Christmas."

"I don't get excited about all the hype. It's too commercialized."
"I am stressed out! I have so much to do and not enough time to get it all done."

You've heard those and many more similar statements. Maybe you've spoken them to that happy Christmas person who drives you nuts. I get it if you don't know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, but that's not who said those things to me. 

They are believers in the One True God and to them I lovingly say, I think you're missing the point. If you are basing your stance on American Christmas hype, your gaze is off. Modern western cultural traditions are fun and we can enjoy (or dread) them, but they certainly should not be the driving focus of a christian's Christmas activities.

There's so much more. This is why Advent is so important. Taking the time as Christmas Day, the day we observe and celebrate the birth of Jesus, approaches to read and re-read the many passages in the Bible will direct our devotion. Setting aside time to marvel and worship privately should center us and quiet all the other noise.  

And it should spark a reaction. Fireworks! Rejoice exceedingly with great joy! Abundant joy! Smiling. Kindness. Generosity. Maybe Happy is supposed to be a verb.

It saddens me when the cares, pain and losses of life that we all experience dictate how some observe holidays, namely Christmas. Knowing God personally gives us the ability to experience joy even in our pain and what sets us apart from those who don't know Him. That's the purpose of Jesus coming to earth to be with us. To carry these burdens and help us keep walking through by bringing goodness with Him.

If you read through the Old Testament, you will see how God's people were continually dropping everything to build an altar and worship God. Life was hard for them too, but it didn't derail them from recognizing and honoring the God who loves and takes care of them. The God who was with them. Who is with us too.

Listen, I know that Jesus probably wasn't born in December. Likely it wasn't snowing. There weren't trees with lights. (But there were gifts!) Again, that's not the point. December 25 is the day that we have set aside to honor and celebrate the first of two greatest events in our history (Easter is coming!). 

I like the way John Piper puts it, "Christmas (the birth of Jesus) cut history in half." Think about it. This is HUGE and it deserves to be recognized, commemorated and celebrated with great joy! With crazy happiness even if you are surrounded by curmudgeons (notice I refrained from using grinch or scrooge).

Perhaps you are the curmudgeon or just sad or too busy, may I gently suggest you sit quietly, get out your Bible and read the familiar passages. Let them wash over you with a fresh, new awareness. Be in awe. Marvel. 

Then maybe, just maybe when you (and I) do, we will respond like the Wise Men did. We too will fall down and worship. Maybe we will bring Him gifts. Remember, we only have one gift to give and it's the only one He wants. Our hearts. Meaning, our simplest love and devotion, our trust that He is who He says He is.

Now that's the Christmas I want to celebrate, don't you? It's what will last long after the gifts are opened, food is eaten and decorations are put away until next year. 

 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”   

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host 

praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,  

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:10-14

This should be more than enough reason for us to get happy - out loud! Let's get it right for the world who is watching and wondering what the big deal of Christmas is to Christ-followers. Because it needs to be a big deal.

Merry Christmas

The Songs Matter

Hey there! It's been a while since we have had a chat. I hope you are well.

This morning I got up early and came down from the mountain for some much needed time to myself. Of course, it started here at one of my favorite places.

Back when I lived in civilization I came here often to sit, read and write. It's been months and I'm tickled pink to be back. And if you haven't tried the orange scone at Panera, do yourself a favor, drop everything and go get one right now!

I had to pull over a few times this morning to capture the beauty of God's creation. I've been whining to God for days that we need snow. Locals tell me it will come. I know this, but I'm talking December snow. The scenery is still gorgeous.

When I ride alone, I listen to music kind of loud. Ok, very loud. The reason of course is so that I can sing along and not ruin it. Did I ever tell you I sound exactly like Karen Carpenter when the volume is just right? Oh that Christmas cd. It's a wonder it still plays from all the use.

I love the variety of Christmas music. From the silly to the sacred, they all have their place.  As the songs played today, some tears fell. Nothing like singing "Go Tell it on the Mountain" as you are driving through the Adirondacks. You should try it.
Like every year when taking inventory of the past twelve months, I know we have so much to celebrate and be glad for. Almost every morning these last few weeks  tears of thanks well up because last year our Christmas, our lives, were so very different. We were hoping for hope, praying for hope, waiting for hope. It's not easy to wait. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't say, "I'm not a patient person. I hate to wait." You are not alone.

Maybe you are waiting right now. May I encourage you? God is faithful. He truly does reward those who hope in Him and wait for Him. He is near even if it doesn't feel like it.

The sacred Christmas songs are so rich and generous in faith-filled, glorious statements and sentiments. Have you noticed? Must be I'm getting older and I think more about these things. I remember my mother who came to faith later in life saying her first year as a believer at Christmas was so different than all those before. The words of familiar songs sung from memory year after year took on new meaning. I totally get this. We mustn't let the familiarity shadow the beauty and depth of the lyrics.

Every December it seems to happen to me now. Beautiful, powerful phrases pop out and all I can do is worship Him.

I think we can all agree that we are living in fearful days. Sin is everywhere. Senseless violence. Intentional terror. Sickness. Unknown futures.

The cultural climate was the same at the time of the first Advent of Jesus.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

His people were up to their eyeballs in the 'law'. Weary. Desperate to hear God's voice after a 400 year silence. No peace. Then the baby came.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.

 Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

From this year's Advent devotional: "The central theme of Christmas can be boiled down to three words...God With Us."

God sent His Son to us.
Jesus came to us.
He wanted to be with us.
He loved and loves us.

This kind of love is demonstrative in nature. God loved us enough to give us His Son. Jesus loved us enough to be given. Both knew there would be a terrible price to be paid. Both knew the rejection and violent death Jesus would suffer.

Probably the hardest part of that for me to fully understand is that they both knew what kind of people Jesus would come to save.

The undeserving
The unaware
The unbelieving

In all honesty, I would not give either of my beloved sons for people like that.

But God did. And Jesus came down here. To us. Has your soul felt its worth yet?

I like the way The Message puts John 1:14

The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish.

This is the message of Christmas. Reminds me of one of my favorite, now 'old school' Christmas songs by Bryan Duncan. I beg you, if you have never heard it (or haven't since the 90's) and like me can't resist a high tenor, to click here and listen.  It will be the best 4 minutes of your day.

One day an infant's cry
In a troubled land
Joined the heavenly hosts on high
In peace, good will to man

(Chorus)
God's thoughts and ways are not our own
And I can't understand
Why He wrapped His love in flesh and blood
And he took the form of man

And Jesus' lowly birth brought riches to the earth
Lord of heaven coming down, risking human birth

(Chorus)

Every heart that knows His name
Lift your voice and sing
To the praise of God With Us
This Child, Redeemer, King

There's never been a greater love
Since the world began
God the Father sent His Son
And we held Him in our hand

He wrapped His love in flesh and blood
And took the form of man
We held Him in our hands....

If your heart knows His name, lift your voice and sing today. I never can sing "we held Him in our hands" without choking. That's because this is real. Jesus came to save us from our sins.

"When the Father gave His only begotten Son, He gave Him to die. That's the kind of love the Father has. It is a giving love. It gives His most precious treasure - His Son.

Meditate on that this Advent. It was a very costly love. A very powerful love. A very rugged, painful love. The meaning of Chrsitmas is the celebration of this love. 'God so loved..'  And wonder of wonders, God gives this clostly love to an undeserving world of sinners, like us."

He came near to us, friends. He is still near - to you. He still loves - you. 

My favorite lyric this year: the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight. Truth. Let that comfort you. 

I hope you know that and can feel it this Christmas. Because without that gigantic truth and reality, what's the point of all the rest of Christmas?

So enjoy and rock out to all the songs, but make room for these classics. If you let them, they'll speak deep richness into your Christmas - and the whole year through.


Quotes from John Piper's The Dawning of Indestructible Joy