It happened to me for the first time about twenty years ago. I pulled a “Scrooge.” I didn’t listen to any Christmas music in the weeks before Christmas. I can’t really explain why. I just didn’t feel like going out of my way and putting in a Christmas CD (twenty years ago, remember?) or turning on one of those all-Christmas, all-the-time stations.
It’s happened again in “on and off” fashion since then. This year, I did listen to Christmas music once…so far…for about an hour.
I have favorites: Mannheim Steamroller, Reba McEntire, Amy Grant, Pentatonix. But this year, I haven’t made much of an effort to listen to Christmas music…again.
Is it a lack of opportunity due to busyness? That’s in the mix. Is it a matter of choosing different entertainment – streaming preferred shows/movies, reading, time with adult children/grandchildren (either in person or via Facetime), time with extended family (a form of entertainment? Depends…)? Definitely a partial reason for my lack of seasonal “holly jolly.” Is it a sense of melancholy which can be traced to any number of circumstances in one’s life? I can’t apply the “shrugging shoulders” emoji to this document, so I’ll just offer an IDK (“I don’t know,” for those over the age of 65 J).
Which gets me to wondering…is it required of me to listen to Christmas music right now? Do I have to? What if I don’t? Is there something wrong with me?
Do I have to get a Christmas letter out to everyone? Do I have to battle traffic, and crowds, and credit card debt to find true joy? Do I have to put up a tree and outside lights? (The parsonage doesn’t even have regular outside lights right now due to a remodeling project – whew, I’ve got an excuse!) Do I have to attend area light displays and drive through neighborhoods to ooh and aah at other people’s incredible light display efforts?
Do I have to say, “Happy Holidays” so as not to offend? Don’t get me started on this one…
Do I have to shop for gifts? Thankfully, my dear bride has a gift for turning a small mound of cash into a heaping overflow of creative, well-loved presents. Although, I wouldn’t turn down an invitation to browse at the Musky Shop.
What do I have to do in order to be ready?
John the Baptist was clear: “Repent! Prepare the way for the Lord! Make straight paths for him!” (Matthew, Mark, & Luke all record his message)
Repentance is done by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This is more than seasonal, it’s daily. It’s a change of mind, a turning away from sin and turning back to God by the mercy of God. Repentance prepares me not to DO all kinds of things to get ready for Christmas, but to receive all that has been DONE for me.
Indeed, you and I don’t have to do anything (of an exterior, seasonal, commercial, decorative nature) to be “ready” for Christmas. Christmas will come whether we’re “ready” or not. Christmas HAS ALREADY COME! Christmas is already “ready.” Please enjoy, ponder, and believe…that all the fuss that God made thousands of years to make Christmas happen for us is worth far more than all the fuss we make over a few weeks’ time to get ready for our “version” of Christmas.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11)
In Christ our Savior,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
It’s happened again in “on and off” fashion since then. This year, I did listen to Christmas music once…so far…for about an hour.
I have favorites: Mannheim Steamroller, Reba McEntire, Amy Grant, Pentatonix. But this year, I haven’t made much of an effort to listen to Christmas music…again.
Is it a lack of opportunity due to busyness? That’s in the mix. Is it a matter of choosing different entertainment – streaming preferred shows/movies, reading, time with adult children/grandchildren (either in person or via Facetime), time with extended family (a form of entertainment? Depends…)? Definitely a partial reason for my lack of seasonal “holly jolly.” Is it a sense of melancholy which can be traced to any number of circumstances in one’s life? I can’t apply the “shrugging shoulders” emoji to this document, so I’ll just offer an IDK (“I don’t know,” for those over the age of 65 J).
Which gets me to wondering…is it required of me to listen to Christmas music right now? Do I have to? What if I don’t? Is there something wrong with me?
Do I have to get a Christmas letter out to everyone? Do I have to battle traffic, and crowds, and credit card debt to find true joy? Do I have to put up a tree and outside lights? (The parsonage doesn’t even have regular outside lights right now due to a remodeling project – whew, I’ve got an excuse!) Do I have to attend area light displays and drive through neighborhoods to ooh and aah at other people’s incredible light display efforts?
Do I have to say, “Happy Holidays” so as not to offend? Don’t get me started on this one…
Do I have to shop for gifts? Thankfully, my dear bride has a gift for turning a small mound of cash into a heaping overflow of creative, well-loved presents. Although, I wouldn’t turn down an invitation to browse at the Musky Shop.
What do I have to do in order to be ready?
John the Baptist was clear: “Repent! Prepare the way for the Lord! Make straight paths for him!” (Matthew, Mark, & Luke all record his message)
Repentance is done by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This is more than seasonal, it’s daily. It’s a change of mind, a turning away from sin and turning back to God by the mercy of God. Repentance prepares me not to DO all kinds of things to get ready for Christmas, but to receive all that has been DONE for me.
Indeed, you and I don’t have to do anything (of an exterior, seasonal, commercial, decorative nature) to be “ready” for Christmas. Christmas will come whether we’re “ready” or not. Christmas HAS ALREADY COME! Christmas is already “ready.” Please enjoy, ponder, and believe…that all the fuss that God made thousands of years to make Christmas happen for us is worth far more than all the fuss we make over a few weeks’ time to get ready for our “version” of Christmas.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11)
In Christ our Savior,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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