Many memories of Christmases past flood my mind. Christmas was a happy time in childhood - full of joy and wonder. Honestly, I had much excitement about the gifts that awaited me on Christmas morning. The main gift that we received was usually open and left out for us to see, perhaps left for us by a visitor in the night who slid down the chimney from his sleigh, leaving behind a great and delightful toy.
As a child there were times with uncles, aunts and cousins at every Christmas time. This usually meant a second Christmas at an Aunt’s house. Aunt Gwyn not only gave great gifts for little boys, but had some pretty great toys in her home for a busy young lad to enjoy. All of those Aunts and Uncles have gone to be with the Lord, along with my father and grandmother who were anchors of such occasions. All that’s left are the memories of those times, which are much better in my mind than they probably were at the time!
My children are all grown up now, but I have joyous memories of their childhood and the delights that Christmas brought to our family. I especially remember with fondness one vacation we took after Christmas Eve service in our Dayton Church. The four of us spent some magical days in a snowy wonderland in Ohio - sledding, listening to Adventures in Odyssey, and enjoying Amy Grant’s awesome second Christmas album.
Christmas is a bit quieter today, but the “ghosts of Christmas past”, to borrow a Dickens phrase, rattle around my mind and I experience a mix of great joy and deep melancholy. The joy comes from the sweet and treasured memories of those who loved me so well, and of the joyous days of my children’s growing years. Why did I not treasure every one of those moments? Why did I not fully enjoy every one of those special people who made me who I am? At the same time, I enjoy the gifts of today - young adults who fully engage their parents as peers, and are starting to make a mark in the world.
Many people’s Christmas ghosts are much more challenging than mine. On the one hand, there are those who said good bye to a treasured loved one in recent days. Sorrow washes over many of the joys that might be. Others face the ghosts of Christmas that never was. Dad was an alcoholic and mom was codependent. Christmas consisted of hoping that dad’s drinking didn’t become the memory of that Christmas. Others mourn a loved one who wasn’t the parent they hoped she’d be.
How does our Christian faith help us in these times? He came for us and He came to us. He knows the mess we are, the missed opportunities, and the deep grief that shapes our thoughts about our lives. He came to give us abundant life. He came to give us grace to treasure the gift of this moment - to live in the gift of right now.
Lord, we need you now. We celebrate your becoming a man while still being God. Memories both joyous and sorrowful haunt our memories of this occasion. Grant us perception of you. Help us perceive your great love for us. Give us the fullness of life you promise, both now at Christmas, and each day of our lived. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.