Marry Christmas

(I wrote this last year, but I didn't blog then. And my daughter still can't spell. . .)

My daughter gave me a card that said, "Marry Christmas." While I could be appalled at her spelling, I think she raises a good question: what will you marry Christmas to? All holidays have an element of contrivance. Early Christians celebrated the birth of Christ near the winter solstice because this was a time of feasting and celebration throughout the Roman Empire. They wanted to marry the festivity of their day to the gospel, the good news that God came down to dwell with humanity, to make Himself known.

What will you marry Christmas to? To the parties and the special foods? Will you marry Christmas off to the materialism of our day, to the finding of the perfect gift? Or will you marry Christmas to family and the traditions that cluster this annual season?

The religious may answer, "I will marry Christmas to Jesus." What does that mean? Do you add religious phrases to your cider mugs? Put up a manger on your mantle near the stockings? Attend religious observances of the holiday? Remember that the Jesus of the gospel was not convenient. He was conceived in an unwed teenager, causing scandal and embarrassment. He arrived on a road trip when there was neither proper shelter nor skilled support for the birth. His presence in Bethlehem led a mad king to slaughter the boys of other families. Is this the Jesus you want to invite to your holiday?

Beware. You may have to open your home to relatives. You may have to give up your comfort. Your traditions may be trampled. You may find yourself overwhelmed by circumstances & forced to lean on Someone invisible who is directing your life for His own purposes. Listen--do you hear angels singing outside of the city? Where is your John the Baptist, who prepares your heart? Repent--someone holy is coming. He is not comfortable. He is not safe. But He is meaning and purpose. He the bridegroom, coming to you with a ring and bended knee.