Sunday Afternoon Tea - Why I Love Christmas

Yesterday morning, I awoke far too early and not feeling very well.  I walked into the kitchen, pushed the button to start the coffee brewing, and then checked my blood sugar.  It was dangerously low as I suspected.  Travel can bring about unusual swings in blood sugar and this time it went too low. I grabbed a granola bar and once the coffee was ready, added a little extra sugar with my cream.

I must admit it felt good to just sit for awhile in the recliner, nibbling the granola bar, sipping the sugary coffee, and watching the sun come up through the window shades with a cat on my lap.  As the sugar was hitting my blood stream, I felt strength return... although my attitude was a little... cranky. I had planned to sleep in and instead, I was up two hours early.

However, when I turned on the television, there were two early morning Christmas specials on one of the Christian channels.  The first was a men's choral group singing Christmas songs and the next was a college choral Holiday performance.  I can't begin to tell you how the music lifted my spirits.  Almost as much as my second cup of coffee.

I remembered why I love Christmas.  It is that one time of year where I can actually see Heaven kissing the fallen world with just a taste of that future Kingdom of God being set up on Earth.  For instance, it is the only time of the year I get to hear beautiful Christ centered music at various times of the day... on TV or at the Mall.

I adore twinkle lights and Christmas tree decorations and since the colors of cranberry red and dark green are my favorites, then just about any Christmasy item is beautiful to gaze upon. 

I love the aromas of Christmas, be they the earthy nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon or the whimsical smell of peppermint or the smell of the Pine Mrs. Meyers dish washing liquid currently sitting by my sink.

I love how Christmas gives us an excuse to be a child again.  To build and decorate a gingerbread house, whether "from scratch" or simply using a kit to save precious time available.  This is the time of year when glitter is in style and pretty paper and tape are the latest rage.

My very favorite thing to do each Christmas season is to plug in the Christmas tree when it is still dark, sip coffee, and talk to God while trying to wake up.  It is often at this time I ponder Christmases past and those I don't see often enough or who have gone on to their reward.  Mornings by the light of the Christmas tree tend to be quite reflective.

I love Christmas because Christmas is Christ... no matter how much "they" try to take that away from the mix, the Truth of Christmas remains.  Jesus truly is the reason for the Season and sometimes old sayings tell a lot of Truth.

I understand that the Early Church did not celebrate Christmas and that the date was pulled out of the hat to coincide with the pagan worship of Solstice.  I get that.  But words are what we put meaning to and celebrations are what we give meaning and Christmas means Christ to me... I don't care what some former Roman leader had in mind.

I love Christmas in the good years and I need it in the not-so-good years.

So whatever circumstances this Christmas finds you in, I pray for you and yours that Christmas brings with it the Presence of Jesus.  I can see Him in the stained glass cathedrals but also in the midst of the celebrations.  I see Him comforting the one in tears and laughing along with the family when grandfather tells that joke yet once again at Christmas dinner.

For you see, Christianity is a Person and that means Christmas is a Person and because of that... we can rejoice in the midst of it all.  The Light has come in the darkness.

Image:  The breakfront decorated for Christmas, 2017.