It’s Not About What We Don’t Have

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

This time of year, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, is my favorite season. Everyone just seems to be a little nicer to each other. The food, the music, the parties. The hustle and bustle of shopping for gifts. Christmas decorations, toy drives. Hearing ‘Merry Christmas’ shouted on the street, Christmas movies, chocolate. Families, churches and communities coming together, and—

Screech.

Like someone bumping a turntable playing “It’s a Holly, Jolly, Christmas’, it all came to a halt this year. 2020. The year of the virus. Bah humbug.

That’s how it felt a few months ago, wasn’t it? But now, after we’ve had time to shake ourselves off and sort of get our bearings, we realize we haven’t lost Christmas. It wasn’t cancelled, closed down, or taken away. You can’t erase a birthday.

‘The Nutcracker’ and the church musicals may be restricted to a socially-distanced few, seen virtually, or postponed until next year. Parades and caroling may still be done outdoors but, this year, while we’re wearing masks and staying at a safe distance.

Christmas will be different.

The Christmas of Less

This may be the Christmas of less. Still filled with God’s light and love but looking a little less bright.

But, overwhelmed as we all are with all the losses and changes, let’s not lose sight of all the gifts and blessings that still remain.

Christmas is here again this year to remind us of that Little Baby, who the teenage girl Mary laid in a manger, who came down to save the world. Us. Me and you.

And that special joy that comes during this season that we see in other’s smiles, hear in their laughter, and witness in their caring for others, it will be here, too. Even if it is hidden behind a mask.

We can still hang our lights, put out our nativity sets, and sing the old carols off key and with misplaced words. Though we probably won’t be able to share as much hot cocoa.

We can still choose to be the light in a darkening world.

The Christmas of Little Things

Maybe this will be the year of little things. Many of us are staying in more this year, and/or our jobs have been cutback or lost altogether. Instead of grand gatherings and giant feasts, maybe this should be the year we get together in smaller groups. Instead of a party or going to a coffee shop, send a card, an email, or a text.

An old friend of mine used to surprise us with, what she called, serendipities. Just a little something she’d found to let us know she was thinking of us. Not to impress anyone or to get something in return, but just to let us know she thought we were special.

Isn’t this a great year, and season, for some serendipities? Not exchanging gifts but giving a gift just to let that person know that you were thinking of them and that they are special.

Doesn’t that better illustrate why God sent us the gift of Jesus? Not because He expected something in return from us. I can draw a childish picture of a yellow circle to represent the sun. He has made more stars than we can’t count.

Yet, He wanted us to know, on a silent night and always, He was thinking of us. He is thinking of us. He is thinking of you.

That is what makes Christmas so special. Because He thinks we are.

TWEETABLE

It's Not About What We Don't Have - @TimSuddeth on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tim Suddeth is a stay-at-home dad and butler for his wonderful, adult son with autism. He has written numerous blogs posts, short stories, and three novels waiting for publication. He is a frequent attendee at writers’ conferences, including the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and a member of Word Weavers and ACFW. He lives near Greenville, SC where he shares a house with a bossy Shorky and three too-curious Persians. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, or at timingreenville.com.