Two Unusual Christmas Events

That Will Leave a Mark

 Christmas can be as they say, the most wonderful time of the year and it most certainly can be. However, it is hard for even Christmas to live up to every person's expectations, especially if the Lord, Jesus Christ is not at the center of it. Presents, family, friends, the loving glowing atmosphere that seems to permeate many people, can be contagious. Two events that I still remember from my childhood that are etched in my mind's eye as if they happened this Christmas. Both happened in the late 1950's to very early 1960's.

The first event, When I was 5yrs old early on Christmas morning it was exciting opening presents eating cookies, it was fun. Then all of a sudden, the sound of the old-fashioned fire engine sirens goes screaming past our house. My father was technically not a fireman although he was often one of the first people at the fire. This was Christmas morning, so he took me by the hand, and we hurried to the end of our street to where the fire trucks were, and it was kind of awesome for a while. He hoisted onto his shoulders so I could see the hustle and bustle. Then all of a sudden, some fire men came out or the burning house with two bodies. Both burned beyond recognition. It was traumatic my father quickly put me down and started to walk home. It was surreal and each Christmas after that the thought did occur could it happen again, could it happen here?

The second event was a much smaller scale but probably more devasting for my cousin than you could imagine. It was Christmas morning and before the children could come down to open presents their father erupted and through the Christmas tree out of the house on to the front yard. It was a devasting behavior and one that scared the oldest child as she was viewed as the focal point of his wrath. Needless to say, that Christmas was different. Yet later on there was an apology and things went on but never quite the same. Hurt is hurt and damage is damage. Yet it was still Christmas.

Christmas is a special time and there are many people who have had difficult experiences on or around that special holiday. For some it is a time of jot for others it is a time of significant depression. As society and families get more and more fragmented it makes sense that Christmas can become stressful if not painful for some folks. The key is not the gifts nor the family as wonderful and fun they can be. The key is Jesus Christ the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. If you keep your eye on Him and keep in mind the real reason that he came that first Christmas, everything changes.

Jesus came to demonstrate God's love for us. That no matter what we do, no matter what we experience, no matter what situation we are in, Jesus came to earth for you. Whether you were in an abusive situation, or an ungodly, situation, or you witnessed something horrible that does not fit in the scenario of Christmas, it can still be the most wonderful time of the year. It's about focus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son Jesus, that whosoever believes in him with have everlasting life. John 3:16