By the time this article is published, we will be deep in the midst of the Christmas season, with only a few days left to go until the big day! By now, even the most latent decorators have begun to decorate their homes with the garb of seasonal celebration, finally. Businesses have announced their Holiday specials (of which I would highly encourage you to take advantage of and shop local), along with the various churches parading their Christmas activities and special services (by the way, there will be a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 PM at the Methodist Church in Fairfield).
When my Grandfather was the manager of an auto parts store, Dependable Motors of Bay City, Texas, he would do a special display during the Holidays. He would advertise his various sales items in the local newspapers and also encourage customers to stop by to see his toy train display. For many years, Grandad set up a Lionel Train display in his shop, equipped with a little town and several locomotives that kids could watch speed around on the track with the touch of a button, all while parents did their shopping. Once Christmas was over, the train set and little village layout would be boxed up and stored until next year. This tradition continued for many years.
It might seem a bit strange to tell a story of boxing things up when we are in the midst of Christmastide, but thinking about that train display made me ask the question, What will I leave out this year? Now, I’m not necessarily talking about decorations here. I’m asking about what experience from this Christmas season I will retain even after the Holiday ends?
The time of Advent reaches into the recesses of humanity’s souls and tries to bring out the best in all of us. It calls us to be more charitable, hopeful, and filled with wonder and amazement. The retention of these emotions can continue if we embrace the reality of Christ’s continued existence amongst us. Our nativity scenes, garland, lights, trees, and even toy trains will be returned to their respective storage areas, but the presence of Christ remains. Jesus invites us to move into the New Year not just looking to the past of the manger, but also to the present and future, including the proclamation that “God is with us.” When the angels proclaimed that fact, they meant that the presence of God among the people had come to STAY! Christ is not just a past figure that has departed from our midst; he remains as our constant guide and everlasting Father.
May we keep the presence of Christ among us, even after all the trappings of this season have returned to the closets and attics of our lives. May the living God always be a vibrant presence and reality among us, not merely a decor that we parade out when the time of year suits us.
What will you leave out this year?
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Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield, TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston, TX
