By Rev. Pete Hyde
The morning broke cold and blustery – temperatures in the 30s and the wind chill in the teens. As I lie in the half-slumber that is early morning, I looked out the window that sheltered me from the cold winter’s day. The sun was just touching the tree tops with a splash of bright yellow that shined in stark contrast against the cold blue of the winter sky. I pulled the covers up a little, not really wanting to leave the warmth, solitude and peace of the quiet house to face the day. But face it I must.
I sat in my office, Christmas music playing, wondering when it will finally get warm, trying to find some inspiration. The typical, clichéd words of the season came through the music mentioning drummer boys, silver bells, cattle lowing, being home for Christmas and mama kissing Santa Claus. What new is there to say? It’s all been said hasn’t it? Why not just tell folks to listen to Christmas music today and they’ll get the message? But, what message will they get? Will they get a message that is not even remotely tied to the Christmas message? Will they get a message that paints a picture of the perfect family and perfect Christmas in the midst of lives that are full of chaos, struggle, grief and stress?
I don’t think Christmas is about having another “Hallmark moment” telling us that no matter what, there are always happy endings. Sometimes there are no happy endings. Sometimes this thing called “life” is not sweet and syrupy and doesn’t end up with a guy in red suit flying across the face of a full moon declaring “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,” or Jimmy Stewart proclaiming, “It’s a wonderful life.” Sometimes we want to pull up the covers over our heads in the quiet of the morning and not face the expected chill of the season. Have you ever said to yourself, “Maybe I can just hide out until New Year’s Day and it will all be over?!”
The music filtered into my mind once again through an upbeat, modern arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard on High” by Steven Curtis Chapman. With extended “Glorias” accompanied by drums, guitar and keyboard bombarding me with the message of the season, the touch of the Spirit tapped me on the shoulder (more like slaps me on the back of the head). Angels announced the coming of the One who came to dwell among us. You remember, Immanuel – God with us. He is with us in the grief, stress and struggle that is accentuated during this season. He crawls under the covers with us on the days when we pull them tightly over our heads not wanting to face another day of fake sweetness. He has come to put his arm around our shoulders and walk the path of life with us. This is the gift of Christmas!! Immanuel – God with us!! This is what we celebrate!!
Maybe you are like me and not everything in your life is “Hallmark Moment” perfect and maybe “Happily Ever After” accompanied by sweet background music is not seen as a possibility in certain situations. But the GOOD NEWS is that God is with us in this imperfect life and struggling journey and He has given us the gift of an ultimate “happy ending!”
So climb out from under the covers, for God is with us. Bundle up against the cold of life, for the SON, born on Christmas, is shining into every dark corner of our lives. Join in the warmth of His body as we gather for worship and fellowship. “O, come let us adore Him” for he dwells with us!
Rev. J. Pete Hyde, Senior Pastor
Santa Rosa Beach Community Church
850-267-2599; srbcc.com
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