How the Virus Tried to Steal Christmas!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but as you are no doubt experiencing, Christmas 2020 will be different.

Our extended families (both sides) have already canceled their pre-Christmas parties. My daughter-in-law's parents will not be traveling in from out of state. Company and office Christmas parties that were on the "endangered list" already are now extinct. And after a 45 minute drive this past weekend on our annual pilgrimage to the outlet mall, I was the last person in America to find out that clothing stores were open, but fitting rooms are closed! I do not have an "off the rack" body and I never buy any clothing without trying it on first. You can imagine my disappointment; we didn't buy many clothes.

However, despite all of our disappointments related to the Covid restrictions, I believe that we will all get an unexpected gift this year, the gift of extra time.

Yes, time. That priceless commodity that is always in short supply during the Christmas season will not be so scarce this year.

This begs the question, what will you do with the extra hours that would have normally been spent doing things that we have been asked not to do this year?

I see two choices:

1) Spend the extra time to form a posse of your closest family and friends who will whine and complain with you about all of the things that we cannot do this year as compared to past years.

2) Spend the extra time focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. Focusing on the birth of our Savior. Focusing on what really happened over 2000 years ago on that first Christmas.

It is my prayer that you will consider option number two, and if you do, here is some recommend reading: Luke 2:1-20

I will not take the space here to line out the passage but I strongly recommend that you take some time with your Bible this Christmas season, not to just read that passage, but to study the passage with your family.

As you study the passage ask yourself some questions:

• How did Joseph feel about traveling with his pregnant wife, who was carrying not his son, but the Son of God? (v4-5)

• How did a very pregnant Mary endure the 90 mile trip (at least three days) from Nazareth to Bethlehem? (v4)

• How did a very young virgin, Mary, process all that was involved in conceiving and giving birth to our Savior? (v7)

• How did both Mary and Joseph deal with the accommodations, a manger that was most likely a feeding trough for animals? (v7)

• Do you think that Mary and Joseph were uncomfortable or had questions that were beyond their understanding? Do you think that their concerns were far more complex than those that we face for Covid Christmas 2020?

Lots of questions and you have lots of time. Why not make this year the year that you take the time to make the "main thing" the main thing and study this amazing account like you have never studied it before?