Doesn't Anyone Know What Christmas is All About?

Every Christmas, lots of bands put out a Christmas album, which more often than not contains original Christmas songs alongside traditional ones like "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bell Rock." Some are not so great, but once in a while you find a few gems. This song definitely qualifies. It's by a band called "Sidewalk Prophets", and I heard about it on a radio station (Shout out to The Wally Show). During an interview, they played two live songs, including "What a Glorious Night." I enjoyed it, so I looked it up on iTunes. And I was super excited when during the intro for the song, there is the audio of Linus from the Peanuts comic strip telling the Christmas story. If you've never seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas," well... I'm sorry. But in case you're not familiar with it, it goes like this:

Charlie Brown: "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
Linus: "Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
"Lights, please?
" 'And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, and lo, an angel of the Lord appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not! For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and this shall be a sign unto you: you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.''
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

I've seen that movie more times than I care to remember at this specific moment, but the way in which I heard it this time surprised me. I really stopped and listened to what Linus said. I have been a believer since I was about 4 or 5, and I suppose I have always taken it for granted. I've grown up seeing the manger scene, hearing about Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, the whole nine yards.

But really, have I ever really heard the Christmas story? Have I ever really reflected on what it was? Have I ever thought about how amazing it was that Jesus himself, God the Son became a little baby boy for me.

So though every year, Christmas seems to get more commercial- this year, I even saw offers for Black Friday that happened a week before Black Friday. Really?- I think that even the true meaning of Christmas gets lost. There are dozens of movies that drill into us that the real joy of Christmas is giving. Don't get me wrong, one of the joys of Christmas is giving to those less fortunate, and is definitely more important than the normal mantra of "Get, get, get," but if you take it all away, the reason for the season is Jesus. He is the motivation behind giving and receiving. He made this holiday the cultural phenomenon that it is. And too often, he is shoved aside for the newest toy on Christmas day.

Really, we make Christmas so complicated. We think we need to get the perfect gift for different people, and what if someone gives you a gift, but you didn't get them one? What if I'm offending someone by saying "Merry Christmas?" What if I can't get the best deal because I didn't wait for hours in the cold outside a store or elbow someone out of the way to grab the last state of the art new gadget from Apple? But, please don't think I hate Christmas, or think that we shouldn't exchange gifts. I love the presents and helping those in need. I love Silver Bells and Jingle Bell Rock. I even love the hustle and bustle of getting gifts to give others. But I think that we need to slow down and take a deep breath once in a while, and think of what we're hustling and bustling for. Is it so we can seem more perfect to those around us? If so, something has gone horribly wrong. Jesus didn't come as a baby because we are perfect. He came because we are flawed. We give in recognition of what he gave to us. No one is too horrible to receive his gift, and likewise we should give generously to all.

So when Charlie Brown asks if anyone knows what Christmas is all about, we can answer and know that a little boy in a manger changed everything, and that, Charlie Brown, is what Christmas is all about.

Reflection

This is a writing long overdue. A culmination of things came crashing down on me lately, which led to anguish, horror, and terror. I certainly didn't feel like praising God. In truth, I felt more like screaming. Where is God in the midst of this jumbled mess? The shootings, the failures, the disappointments, the diseases. As I lay in bed thinking all this, something came to me.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

And somehow, I felt a bit better. I'm not saying my troubles magically disappeared, but I knew God wasn't going to leave me hanging. He knows my life and won't leave.

But still, is all of this necessary? I can't watch the news without wincing or feeling like I am going to cry. This is what has become of God's perfect world He created? Will it ever end?

I remember all too clearly December 13, 2013. I remember hiding in the back of the classroom praying to God to do something, anything. I thought about how I could try to protect those with me. I thought about my parents and my sisters. And yet, as I huddled, terrified any moment could be my last, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was completely irrational, but I felt as if God was wrapping his arms around me. And while I think of that, I think of another verse:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33, NIV)

He's got it. God has overcome the world. That's really hard to take in. The God who oversees the universe took time to comfort me when I needed it most.

After that day, it seems to me that there have been many more shootings, or maybe its just I am more aware of them. In the book of Revelation, it describes how the world will become a horrible place, with many false prophets and people turning away from the Lord, more than ever before. The antichrist will come and claim he is God. Actually, this sounds a little like today. More crimes are being committed every day, and it seems so easy to just throw in the towel. But the Bible says Jesus will return to the Earth.

In Revelation 22:20-21, it says, ‘He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.’

And I could not agree more. Come, please, Jesus. This world needs you. We need you desperately. But until the appointed time, which only God knows, I will keep faith. I must keep faith, and keep my eyes on the day when, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).