Cecilia Marie Pulliam: Christmas

There is still magic in the air, a sense of expectation and wonder to this season even though my life no longer involves the traditional Christmas rush of baking, presents, and parties . I can’t look at a snowy morning without thinking of a manger and reflecting on the beautiful imagery in the season’s scripture readings.

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah11:6.

“… the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, to the poor the gospel is preached.” Luke 7:22.

The last reminds me of the song, Mary Did You Know? Did Mary know her child would someday walk on water, heal the blind and the lame, and die upon a cross?

A newborn creates a special atmosphere in a home. Can you imagine the presence of the Holy Child?

God on earth.

That is mind shattering.

“For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.” John 3:16.

How can I wrap my thoughts around the magnitude of that miracle?

God created the world. He created me. He holds power over life and death. Yet, he chose to come to earth as a helpless child.

The words of another song come to mind, On My Father’s Side. The mysterious duality of Christ.

Curious, I looked into how December 25^th was chosen as the birthdate of Christ. According to Encyclopedia Britanica, there are several possibilities. The first, a Roman Christian historian, Sextus Julius Africanus dated Christ’s conception on March 25^th. December 25^th is nine months later. The second, the Roman Empire held a pagan feast of Saturnalia (during which people feasted and exchanged gifts). It was also said to be the birthdate of the Roman god Mithra. The early church has a history of supplanting pagan holidays with Christian ones.

It wasn’t until 336 that the Christian church celebrated Christmas on December 25^th, during the reign of Constantine, the first Christian Emperor. Still, Christmas wasn’t widely celebrated until the 9^th century. We all know the progression from there.

Even with all the changes and fluctuations, this season holds the most reverence and joy of any holiday. I pray we can keep that wonder and magic all year long despite our circumstances.

“For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

Amen.

How about you? Do you look forward to the Christmas season, or dread it and can’t wait for it to be over?