Where are you CHRISTmas?
I remember my days as a kid in the humid Indiana heat of July playing Christmas music and singing along. I definitely got more than a few weird looks, but there was just something about the joy and love surrounding the season that I wished it could be every day. Truthfully, I never really grew out of that phase — you can still find me playing Christmas music in July — but it means something different now.
The other day, the song “Where Are You, Christmas?” by Faith Hill was playing in the Mission as volunteers set up trees and decorations donated over the years. It’s a song I’ve heard many times, but as I listened to the lyrics this tine, I found myself pausing in the chapel as the music played softly overhead…
Where is the laughter // You used to bring me // Why can't I hear music play // My world is changing // I'm rearranging // Does that mean Christmas changes too?”
As children, we keep the Christmas spirit alive as our hearts burn with hope and excitement. We write letters, make cookies, do our best to stay on the nice list, and we wait up as long as we can for Santa on Christmas Eve, before our eyes close to a world of snowy dreams.
However, as we grow older, Christmas begins to change because life changes. We no longer ask for the gifts that can be wrapped in red and green paper, but yearn for relationships and connections with others. We need stability and support. We need love. We need Christmas to mean something more.
What keeps the spirit of Christmas alive as we grow older is the kindness we share with one another and the hope we have in Jesus.
In that moment, standing in the hallway of the Mission, I couldn’t help but wonder how it would change the meaning of the song if the word “Christmas” was replaced with “Jesus,” like how the meaning of Christmas changes when we remember Who it’s all about.
Where are you JESUS? // Jesus is here // Everywhere, oh // Jesus is here // If you care, oh // If there is love in your heart and your mind // You will feel like Jesus all the time // Oh, I feel you Jesus // I know I've found you // You never fade away, oh”
Now every time I start to sing this song, I know the weight of sadness in the opening lines is leading to an invitation. We were given the greatest gift on Christmas, the gift of Jesus. He is our perfect embodiment of love, and love heals broken hearts, love searches out the lost, love gives second chances and love gives hope.
Jesus walked with people just like us, sharing in our hurt and our pain. Everything changed when He chose us. As Mary and Joseph walked across that barren desert to Bethlehem, I doubt they were dreaming about the day we celebrate their son each year with gifts and decorations, they were looking forward to Him — Immanuel, God with us — who would make every day like Christmas.
This Christmas season, help us share the love and joy of Jesus that lives on in our hearts long after Christmas has passed. Because “The joy of Jesus, Stays here inside us.”
And when we choose to remember the greatest gift he gave us, we can “Fill each and every heart with love.”
By Krystel Marino // Development Director
December 2019