God’s love was revealed among us in this way:
God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9
An old 1968 Christmas song by Elvis Presley began, “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you…” And that is true. Too many of us have lost a child, parent, spouse, or friend during the past year or two. It is a lonely time of year, and we think fondly of the special moments we shared. It can cause anxiety, deep grief, and despair as we approach this holiday season.
Christmas is also a beautiful time. We look out our window at the huge snow flakes that drift from the sky. We receive that special box of cookies lovingly prepared by a neighbor, or a family member gives us a call. Those are the small things that help remove the darkness, “the blue Christmas,” from our lives.
God sends us the best Christmas gift of all. It is sometimes easy to forget the meaning of Christmas among the bustle of Christmas trees and wrapping of gifts. God’s extravagant gift is best revealed in the words of another song:
Love came down at Christmas, Love all Love Divine.
Love came down at Christmas, and I know, I know that Love is mine.
When we are “blanketed in God’s Love,” when we acknowledge that Jesus embodies that Love, we discover that it is the perfect gift to us from God in our moments of great pain and sorrow, as well as in our time of jubilant joy. So, look and see the greatness of God in a small child born in Bethlehem so long ago. Let God wrap you in his arms of Love. Experience this Love that brings healing, hope, and peace into our lives. It is a gift that never goes away!