Think back to other Christmas seasons. What part of the season bugged the heck out of you? And how many of those thorny issues don’t exist in 2020? Here are a few I thought of:
- Rushing around to malls to shop. No parking, no time. (I’ve done all of my shopping online, at my leisure, and even made several of my gifts)
- Annoying canned Christmas music over mall intercoms. (I have my favourite Christmas playlist on Amazon music right now.)
- Family get-togethers aren’t all Hallmark movie-esque, and sometimes cause stress. (Could I actually be missing those gatherings?)
- The pressure to decorate, bake and tick off every box on my list. (Now I can do only what is meaningful to me and my family.)
Can you think of more? Start by giving thanks for the positive changes this year, and then ponder how to take those benefits into other years.
The first Christmas
Zechariah and Elizabeth
I’ve always been fascinated by this devout Jewish couple. They lived honourably before God, kept the commandments and lived with a clear conscience. Their dream of having a child had been folded away as the passing years made it evident that God had replied, “No,” to their prayers. Still, they worshipped and served.
Then Zechariah was performing his yearly priestly duties when he looked up and saw an angel standing beside him. 
The Bible says he was terrified, and no wonder. Angels are huge and not the kind of being you expect to be looking over your shoulder as you complete your work. The angel told Zechariah that their prayers had been answered and they were to have a special son who would get people ready for the Messiah. Scepticism rose in Zechariah, and he said, “Do you expect me to believe this? I’m old!”
Just a hint: angels are God’s messengers, and you really shouldn’t talk to them like that. The angel struck him dumb, and he wasn’t able to speak again until the baby was born.
Elizabeth
Besides watching her dream fade with the advancing years, Elizabeth had born the stigma (which was significant in that culture) of being barren. Women will talk and they aren’t always nice. So when the incredible miracle of pregnancy occurred for her, you can bet she savoured every moment. The first Christmas changed life for both of them in ways they couldn’t have imagined.
The Shepherds
I tend to favour the underdogs and you don’t get much more underdog in that society than the shepherds, except perhaps among the lepers. Dirty 
and stinky, they did an honest day’s work and where much needed, but no one brought a shepherd home to mother. This group was out in the field doing what they did every night when an angel appeared among them. They were terrified and listened to an amazing tale of the Messiah, a baby, born in a nearby barn. Then, the whole sky was alight with angels and the night sky pulsed with sound as they praised God. Then–silence. They were gone.
I can imagine they stood there for a few minutes, the awe of the experience paralyzing them. Then one turned to the others and said, “Let’s go.” They ran to Bethlehem, found the baby and worshipped. You can believe, those men were never the same again.
Your Christmas
Do you remember Christmas 2002? How about Christmas 2014? Chances are, unless a significant event happened, like a wedding or a new baby, all the Christmasses blend together.
Not 2020. You will remember this Christmas. What can you do to make it truly memorable? It will take creativity and flexibility.
- One family loved to play small games of skill with all the cousins with Dollar Store prizes for the winners. The enterprising Grandma of this crowd purchased and wrapped the prizes and delivered them to each of the homes. Then she booked a zoom time where all of the cousins will participate together.
- A group of ladies at our church decorate the many Christmas trees when the season begins. We call ourselves the “tree elves” under the direction of the pastor’s wife, the “chief elf.” (Stop laughing.) Each year I bring trays of cinnamon buns for the elves and also the
pastors–a fun tradition that has grown from working together. This year, I can’t bless all the elves, but each of the pastors will get a tray of sweet treats, because why should COVID cancel cinnamon buns? - Every year the whole family gathers at Grandma’s house for Christmas dinner. It’s been that way since before the grandchildren arrived. This year, Grandma has already prepared, portioned out and frozen the meal. On Christmas Eve, Grandma and Grandpa will make several deliveries so everyone has their Christmas dinner.
What about you? Share with us ways you are creatively celebrating and reaching out to those you love this Christmas-like-no-other.
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