The Light of Christmas

I have spent years being suspect of anything purported to foster the indefinable "True Spirit of Christmas,"  while cynically attributing this spirit to sentimental reflections devoid of substance, and an intentional, or at least a shallow distraction from "what it's really about."

Perhaps I've become weak in the knees in my old age, or maybe...just maybe...my perspective is maturing?  I don't know.  But what I do know is this:

Underneath much of the sentimentalism stands a foundational truth.  The coming of Christ into the world changed everything...forever.  And the effects of that coming are far-reaching and assume a million different forms!  Artists, musicians and authors often set this reality before us in unique ways that cause us to meditate on The Incarnation afresh.

In years past, I would have mocked Richard Paul Evans picture book, The Light of Christmas.  What I see in it now, is a child who selflessly lays aside the thing he wants most in order to "entertain an angel unawares" (in a Good-Samaritan-like act).  By so doing, he seemingly forfeits that which he longs for, yet, in the end, he gains exactly what he desired precisely because of his sacrifice.

Yes...this is a "feel good" story, but truth be told, it springs from the thoroughly Christian idea of exchanging present glory for lowly service in the hope that one day all will be set right...the proud and mighty will be humbled and those of low degree will be exalted.  This is a story of death and resurrection...the kind of reversal we take for granted, but which is made possible only as a result of The Incarnation!

So...if you're like me and scoffing at sentiment is your default mode, go ahead and force yourself to seek the Truth behind the sentiment.  Who knows, you may even discover a slight flicker of joy in your soul from the experience!