I love Christmas time!  …though I do not enjoy seeing the rampant commercialism promoting covetousness and greed.  I love Christmas music, particularly the Celtic carols and tunes wafting through our home this time of year.  I love baking; I love sending holiday greetings and giving gifts, particularly to my grandchildren.

I have to intentionally pull myself back to reality a bit, though, and remember that not everyone is experiencing the joy I feel as carols play and Christmas lights sparkle.  For those who resent our joy and want to put an end to the festivities, you will never be able to stop Christmas, though people have been trying to silence Christians for centuries—never successful, yet never ceasing to try. 

There is so much activity and so many demands on my time and attention during the holidays—but I do not want to forget those whose season is not merry and bright.  I recall Jesus teaching His disciples, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  And the King will answer and say to them ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:34-40).

It takes intentionality to tear my eyes away from the demands of the holiday season to see the needs of those who are struggling.  …to give a gift to someone I do not know, to volunteer time at a city mission, to give a meal and a blanket to a homeless person, to find a way to help and encourage those who are being persecuted for their faith.  Many opportunities exist, though it may take a bit of time and effort to search for them—what an amazing effect it would have if every Christian reached beyond their families, beyond the familiar or easy, to touch the heart of God by showing kindness to “one of the least of these”, particularly during this time of year!

I wrote a poem, something I haven’t done for many years!  It is hard work, but some of my thoughts come to me with a bit of cadence, so I thought, “why not try?”…

Festive banners and twinkling lights

Brighten homes and stores,

The air is filled with joyous songs—

And trees with ornaments adorned.

Snapping and crackling, the air is charged

With excitement all around.

The holidays so magical,

‘Tis the season, oh so profound!

Yet, not all is what it may seem,

And bright lights hide the pain,

A broken home, a battered child,

And homeless people bound by shame.

Wounded hearts and a warrior’s cry,

As the battles still rage on,

No sugarplums, but nightmares haunt,

Waking and sleeping, our bravest ones.

A hospital bed, a nursing home,

A face turned towards the wall.

Violence raging through the streets

While anger hides fear’s anguished call.

And people fleeing, scorned, and killed,

Or imprisoned for their faith—

With the hope of Christmas in their hearts

Yet tragedy etched on each face.

Not everyone sings the Spirit’s songs

Rejoicing in the Savior’s birth.

And until the day His Kingdom comes,

There will be no peace on earth.

So sing praise to Him who the Father sent

To make us whole again,

Joining hearts and hands, spreading God’s great love,

And sharing His redemption plan.