This year, my thoughts surround the music - the sound - of Christmas. We sing the old hymns, but do we really hear them? We are inundated with the noise of Christmas, but do we distinguish the noise from the sound of it?
It's almost a cliche to talk about remembering the reason for Christmas, and not get sidetracked by the commercialism, hustle, blah, blah. That's sort of what I'm thinking about this year - but not quite. Separating the music from the noise is a good thing. But having done that, we also need to hear the music, not just recognize or appreciate it, but let it in. We need to experience the sound of Christmas.
The Christmas star stands out as a guide. It gives hope and purpose to those who follow it. It gives assurance and motivation to stay focused and on target. It helps is not be discouraged, distracted, despondent or defeated in our pursuit of Christ. The wise men completed the trip. We will too. And the rewards, as we present ourselves as living sacrifices before Him, are tremendous. The star guides from afar and leads us forward.
But the music of Christmas is more immediate. Somehow, it is more tangible than the idealistic and futuristic connotation of the star. "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus", "Away In A Manger", "Silent Night", The First Noel" and a hundred other carols all talk about an event long ago. But the connotation of the music is to bring that moment in history to us today - each Christmas, right now.
The carols, the Christmas Story (Luke 2), etc. remind us that Immanuel (God With Us, Revealed In Us) is more than a major historical event, but it is an ongoing event, day by day in our lives. Just as God's Words "Let there be light" created an ongoing event we call the universe, the words of Christmas, the Incarnation of Christ, create an ongoing event inside each and every one of us. An event that has a beginning, an impact and a consummation.
As we look at the Christmas star and follow it intentionally and diligently, we also need to hear the music of Christmas and allow its creative and ongoing impact to influence the very core of our beings. Because of the star, we know that everything will be different and better. Because of the music, it already is.
Let's not ignore the star. And let's not let the music be drowned out by anything...not even the tradition of Christmas itself. Let's allow the music and the coming of Christ to change us, remake us and give us peace this year and forever.
Merry Christmas.