Saturday, December 25, 2021

Thoughts on Christmas

 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

- Isaiah 9:2


Somehow I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying "yes" to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying "yes" to a hope based on God's initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God's work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying... But it is into this broken world that a child is born who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior.

-- Henri Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak

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