Journey back to Christmas

Tune to 100.1 to listen. We turn our radio dial and turn up the volume. Just like that the light display in front of us comes to life. What was dazzling and impressive moments before has become an over-the-top experience of light and colors and sound. We stare transfixed as scenes from wreck-it-ralph show on the led christmas display in front of us.

“This is cool. Like. So Cool.” one of my kids says repeatedly.

And it was. Every year I wrestle strings of lights hoping that there won’t be any missing bulbs. I put them up along the roof and try not to drop them or get tangled up in them. Try to avoid uneven ground with the ladder and fiddle lights and hooks and gloves…then my husband comes home and helps me even though I was trying to save him the trouble.

I can’t imagine the work of timed and synchronized LED displays. I am content to enjoy these amazing wonders with my kids on our annual Christmas Eve “Light Looking” drives. Even this year visiting out of state we managed to make a loop around the city to find some fun displays.

The one we were staring at had won first place in a major city and it was easy to see why. A vibrant and well executed display worthy of a blue ribbon.

As we drove back for dinner the kids were still talking about it. Excited.

My own excitement too as we thought about homemade dinner waiting for us, our one present on Christmas Eve tradition, and cinnamon rolls in the morning. We all felt the tingle of anticipation.

Christmas brings out the vibrance of life. Things get a little clearer and more focused. We all get a little more focused by the deadline for gifts and food and family. Sometimes good sometimes bad.

We celebrate the good; the generosity in people. We show love and affection through gifts and fellowship. We show the best of ourselves and try and see the best in others.

Gather together to be “counted” in pictures and photos. Put out the best, be the best, wear the best…

Do we leave the manger cold and ignored? A precursor to good food and gifts?

Do we see it in full color…experience it in full sound? Fully vibrant and tuned in to the radio station of heaven?

Did you see the part of the story where God was writing Jesus in long before the first Christmas day?

Planting seeds of promise in the line of Abraham all the way to David and beyond, through prophets hundreds of years before the moment the angel appeared to Mary?

Such a cherished moment thousands of years—beyond time in the making.

Did you feel the obedience in Mary’s statement “let it be as you have said”?

Then to have a cousin be given the miracle of new life in her old age…John to prepare the world for Jesus.

Did you smile as the baby within Elizabeth lept at Jesus’ presence in Mary’s womb?

Did you sense the terror turned wonder in the shepherds seeing an angel?

Magi traveled months to meet this infant born in an unlikely place. An event so great it was marked by a star.  So important that these wise men from far away came prepared with kingly gifts. Did you see their delight at finding the star resting on the place where the tiny Messiah was born?

Did you see how the Savior’s birth was recognized by earthly authorities? How Jesus’ presence made an impact long before he began teaching?

Herod, the current king, was so threatened by prophecy about this infant he ordered infanticide to all boys 2 years and younger. Did you see the importance of this baby through his eyes?

Did you see the vibrance of this occasion? The depth of planning and thought and design?

Did you see the ache of the mothers who had just lost their sons? A dramatic and heavy story. Heavy and hopeful hearts in one.

Did you see how everything perfectly fulfilled prophecy and protected the young Savior’s life?

Marvel at the intricate patterns and providence…see the way the sound of the story echoes the longing of a father trying to provide a sacrifice for the wrongs of his children. A cherished and loved sacrifice. The one for us all.

This story is deep if we choose to look. It’s hard to look. So hard to see all that was done for all His children…that would have still come to pass for just one of us. For just me. For only you.

How much planning does it take to orchestrate Christmas? Cookies, tree, presents, family, dinner, drama, bedtimes, stories, wrapping, shopping, budgeting…it all builds up to one moment. And the emotion of memories, loss, love, pride, longing, peace, rest…they overwhelm.

All that planning for one day.

We do it out of love.

So did He.

So whether Christmas day goes exactly the way we planned or the ham ends up on the floor and the tree falls over…vibrance.

Freedom to live fully, experience fully…love completely.

Tuned in to the awareness that this crazy mess is redeemed. All this…bought with the most precious life willingly and out of love.

My eyes turn to every piece of this life– feeling every emotion and every gift. A cherished memory-filled day to remind us of that precious God-gifted day.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with all my love.

Cassie.

Light of the World-Lauren Daigle