That phrase came to me when I woke the other morning. It was nearly my first thought. Outside darkness and a gale and as I lay cozy in bed, into my head popped the words "We need Christmas".
My defenses were down and the longing for Christmas crept into my brain. As I walked the dog in the dark, I chewed those 3 words over. What did I mean "We need Christmas"? I knew I didn't mean we need to start watching Christmas Movies. It was too early for that. I didn't mean we need to get the decorations out. Electricity's too costly to begin that tradition in November. And it goes without saying, I didn't mean let's spend loads of money. But around the playground on Koda's walk to the park, I realised that I meant we need light in the darkness of our world. The darkness and the storm of the night before had been working into my heart. As I slept I felt the heaviness of the darkness and the unsettling fear of the storm through my fitful sleep. I woke with a longing for the light that Christmas brings. That familiar Christmas verse came to mind.
"Those walking walking in darkness have seen a great light..."
For those few minutes as I walked down the Hillsborough Road a longing grew for light. Not the shine of the street lights but the full glory of the sun. That the storm would pass and a new day would dawn. A day where darkness and storm would be no more. In other words Christmas. Not commercial Christmas but the Christ revealed Christmas. A day where Christ the Son would shine in all his glory and usher in a new world.
It was that day that I woke longing for. Christmas as we celebrate it awakens that desire but doesn't fulfill it. Only Jesus fulfills it. He's the Sun that shines in the darkness of our world. He's the one who lights our path so that we might see the way to go and he leads us in it. He's the one who throws open the cupboards of our lives exposing our deepest fears, shame and guilt. He sees through our masks and welcomes us into his light.
Whatever your darkness, whatever your storms you (& I) need Christmas. Not the Christmas of the movies but real Christmas.
We need Christmas, why wait until the 25th to celebrate it. Today step into the light of Jesus and live in his light and warmth. Is there a better alternative?
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