Christmas Miracle – The Arrow Preacher

CHRISTmas Time Is Here

As the clock ticks the time many boys and girls cannot wait for, Christmas. The songs of Christmas cheer fill homes across the world. Some places have bright Christmas lights glistening off the pure white snow. Some prepare for Christmas in the dark hidden places of their homes afraid for the world to know it’s Christmas time. Christmas is celebrated all over the world, a time for most is a joyous occasion, but sadly a bitter sweet, and sometimes bitter for others. While many will see a large fellow in a red jacket and a long white beard, yes I’m talking about Santa, others will see the manger and a baby laying in swaddling clothes. Christmas time, a confusing time, a time where capital, and faith collide.

I was in Walmart recently and while I was there I noticed Santa Clause all over the place. I began to look for Jesus in the hustle and bustle, the noise of the store. It took me a while, but I found a small section in the Christmas Isle, that had the manger scene. Nothing fancy, just cheap wooden sets, sets that weren’t complete either. How sad I became that the real reason for the season, the only true cause to celebrate was buried and overlooked. While I don’t begrudge the idea of Santa, from his true origins, and I must admit some of my favorite movies involve the fat man in the long white beard, unless it’s Kurt Russel in “Christmas Chronicles”. Saint Nicolaus the real man, born probably around A.D. 280 was considered to be a sweet and benevolent man. While his legend grew, he was indeed just a man. The only magic he had was his belief in Jesus Christ, and the love he shared was indeed the commandment of “Love your Neighbor as yourself.” Only following behind “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37. How quickly we forget, or choose to ignore the real meaning of Christmas.

It’s easy to get swept up in the commercial of Christmas. Why, even back in 1947 when “Miracle on 34^th St.” Aired, the theme was about bringing the spirit of Christmas back to the home, and getting away from the commercializing and capitalization of selling toys and goods. There’s nothing wrong with gifts, sure, it’s nice to receive, but for me, I love to give. I am a gift buying fool. I buy gifts not just at Christmas, but all year round. I find it to be a thrill to see the joy on someone’s face when they are shocked or surprised. Of course I enjoy getting gifts also, but for me, I remember Christmas, as in CHRISTmas. While not accurate, the story of the little drummer boy gifting all he had to Jesus was music from his Drum. How sweet a story, that in ways of worship we all have a special gift, something we can do for Jesus to celebrate his Birth. Yes, I know Jesus was not born on December 25^th, but regardless, it’s the day we celebrate, and however we got here aside, it’s here, and we can chose to be a scrooge because of how we got here, or, we can choose to celebrate together in love , and in love, with love, for our Savior Jesus Christ.

This Christmas Blue’s. Yes, the Christmas blue’s are a real thing. My family has lost members on Christmas eve, Christmas Day, and now as the family dwindles, the joyful noise of Christmas past, is now but a memory. This year, sickness came to my household, and it looks like Christmas day may be spent in separation. Saddened by this, I have found myself struggling to listen to Christmas music the last few days. Has the joy of Christmas failed me this year? It’s hard to remain positive when the world throws so much negativity your way. When you’re down, depressed, downtrodden, it’s easy pickings for the Lion, a ravaging, hunter of convenience to pounce on you. It is not beneath a lion to snack on a dead carcass brought down by another animal. Opportunity is key, and when you are low, Satan takes that opportunity to strike. There are many people around the world struggling with loss, sadness, hopelessness, and depression, illness, etc. These people may be alone, or even surrounded by family, but struggle to find Christmas cheer. Indeed, I say to you, let us lift them up in prayers. Let us pray earnestly for those struggling this year. Let us pray for the souls still lost, the souls heartbroken, and the souls in need of healing. Without Christmas there is no Easter, and without CHRIST, there is not CHRISTmas, and without that there is no hope, only darkness. It doesn’t matter when we celebrate, but that we do celebrate. Jesus is worth celebration, and I would say, keep Christmas in your heart year round. Keep Joy in your heart as told by Christ, because he overcame the world. He overcame the darkness, and gave us light. Let us look upon the beautiful Christmas lights this year and be reminded that even one tiny Christmas light can snuff out the darkness, so let us multiply the light, let us be the moon and reflect the light of Christ for all the world to see. Let us light up the darkness this Christmas. Joy to the world, the savior reigns. Emanuel came to be with us, and lives. Emanuel defeated death, bore the ugliness of sin, and cleansed the spirits for those who would follow him. The beautiful sound of Angels singing that glorious night as they lit up the sky with the wonders of Heaven proclaiming the long-awaited messiah had come. Let us not be silent, but cheer, and worship him. Let us remember that Christmas is here, the Christ has come, and the spirit lives on. Let us be like Saint Nick, spreading hope to those who have none. Let us be like the woman at the well, so excited to meet the messiah she left her belongings behind to share the good news with all who would listen. Let us have a fervor to rip open a roof for our friend, just at the chance to meet and see, and be healed by the savior of the universe. Let us not put the lantern under a basket, but instead rise high upon the mountain, and let not this world silence you. Fight the darkness, and fight for Jesus. For soon the Messiah comes and when he does, all the knees shall bow, and all the tongues shall confess, you are Lord.

Merry CHRISTmas too all, and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Christmas Wish

The weather turns cold and the air is crisp. It bites and buries deep down into your bones. The Christmas tree is up, the lights are on, and the Christmas cheer is strewn about nearly everywhere you look. When you think about yourself this holiday season, how do you feel? Are you Scrooge, the Grinch, or jolly old Saint Nick? Are you finding your cheer, or are you feeling down? For many reasons a person can become depressed during the holidays even amidst the joy that comes celebrating the messiah’s birthday!

This year I find myself struggling with the realization that I am still alone a second Christmas in a row. It’s hard for me watching friends post family photos, and how many of them are starting families, or growing their family this time of year. I’ve found it difficult to maintain the smile I put on my face. The family reminder is hard, and knowing mine was torn apart and wishing for a family of my own has created a rough time. It’s hard watching as everyone I know seems to be so happy, and nearly complete. The hardest part about the holidays is not having someone special in your life to experience it with.

They say that this time of year all manner of miracles could happen. As I have prayed for a Christmas Miracle I realize that it’s only a matter if it’s something God wants for me right now. We must always remember that sometimes we want what we want, but it’s not what God wants for us. While I have spent over a year picking up the pieces of my broken heart, I have not found any comfort or solace in that time. I keep pushing forward one step at a time no matter how hopeless I often feel. The pieces of my heart look like a shattered ornament bulb broken on the floor. I’ve tried to tape it back together, but it’s hard to keep it from crumbling.

I know it’s probably a lot to ask for, but my grown up Christmas wish this year is to have someone special love me as much as I do them. It may sound silly, but it’s all I really want. I’ve had a slew of strange events happen to me this year, and I remember every day to keep and hold onto my faith. I know that the power of Love God has for me will never die, and will never loose it’s strength. No matter how far I feel I’ve fallen God is right there with me. I can fall over and over and God will always pick me up. I am weak and I know God’s love and grace should be enough for me, but it’s hard. I can only keep putting one foot in front of the other in hopes that one day I will learn to run again.

This is my Christmas wish, my one hope, my only request; I wish to not be alone for yet another year. I wish to have someone fall for me as I do them, deeply in love. I wish to feel something I’ve not felt before, and I wish to experience things I haven’t yet felt. I pray for my heart be healed and mended back together. I pray for these things as my one and only Christmas wish. In the name of God all things are possible, and if it’s not my time, I learn to understand that it’s about God’s time, not my own.

Amen.