Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49: 13
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And He said “truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 18: 2-3
Christmas day has come and gone too quickly, the birth of our Lord and Saviour has happened! Did we shout for joy? Did we rejoice enough? Did anyone burst into song? I hope so, I hope at the very least this miracle brightened hearts and lifted spirits the world over.
All through advent I have watched my three-year-old daughter, Islay, as she marveled at our Christmas decorations, listened intently as I read all of the stories; played happily with her toy crèche, even taking the bed from her toy castle and tucking the Baby Jesus in because “there wasn’t a blanket in the manger mom.” Her joy filled my heart and reminded me of what Jesus tells us, (how many times?) that we must all strive to be like children if we are to find ourselves in the kingdom of heaven. The pure joy in a child’s eyes as they gaze on a beautiful Christmas scene, the dancing and jumping for joy as the excitement within bubbles over, it is contagious, it is inspiring; and it is something to aspire to.
Christmas may have looked very different this year. We may not have all had the Christmas we had planned, we may not have shared in many well-established traditions, and we may not have checked everything off of our lists. But Jesus was there, His presence and His love should fill our hearts to overflowing, should inspire us to shout, dance and sing! We belong to a Lord who has compassion, who knows our hearts, who bids us to keep in our hearts the happiness of Christmas’ past, the way we felt as children.
I pray that as we continue our journey through the twelve days of Christmas that we can embrace that joy with the innocence and love of a child. That we can feel ever nearer to our Lord with the boundless love of a child. And may generosity fill our hearts to continue to give to others in whom we see a need… like a baby in need of a better blanket.
