I read an article this week by Pastor Al Gooderham in Doncaster, England. In it he said “Every Christmas party, every overindulgence, every gift, every exorbitant preparation is a sign of a desperate search for joy. It is a sign of longing for significance and a desire to bring joy to others or to find joy for themselves where they can because life is in short supply of it.”

Christmas has always been a season of joy whether it’s captured in the lights, decorations, gatherings, gifts, food, drinks, parties, or songs. We often hear the words, “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy Holidays,” along with all the songs “'tis the season to be jolly,” “have yourself a merry little Christmas,” or “joy to the world,” among many others.

One of my favorite quotes around Christmas is this: “Without Christmas, Easter is impossible. Without Easter, Christmas is meaningless.” Both are essential to the meaning, hope, and experience of our Christian life, yet our Lord’s incarnation unfolded the amazing salvation plan of God.

God said it this way: “For the grace of God appeared (Jesus Christ) bringing salvation to all men” (Titus 2:11).

As you ponder the meaning of Christmas this year, I have always benefited from this profound poem that Larry Farthing wrote called “Christmas means.…” Let its truths marinate in your heart.

Over the last nine months, we have been treated to the indignities of COVID: uncertainty, fear, anxiety, sickness, death, mandates, shutdowns, and shortages. We’re used to the toilet paper shortages, but now it’s antacids. COVID has taken a toll on the physical and mental health of many and the rising use of medications to treat depression, insomnia, and anxiety (up 15-34 percent before the current wave) along with binge drinking (up 20 percent) is disturbing.