The Pastor's Corner

Merry Christmas To You
December 25, 2003
By Rev. Todd Crofford
Sr. Pastor
Laurel Wesleyan Church

It’s not a work day and certainly not a school day, but Christmas day will still start plenty early at my house. That’s because three of our young children will be aggressively pulling mommy and daddy out of bed anxious to get to that tree. They won’t like it one bit when we insist that we have breakfast before “digging in” to the pile of presents beckoning to them from under those branches. And they are sure to set up a fuss when we declare that we need to clean up from breakfast before moving on.

Finally we will make our way into the living room and set ourselves around that tree for the familiar Christmas routine. I know my two and a half year old son will be ready to rip something open and the suspense will be killing my daughters. Yet each of them will readily recognize there is something absolutely essential to the morning that must happen before we open gifts. First, we will open the Bible.

Luke chapter 2… an angel appearing to Mary… a miraculous conception… shepherds in a field surrounded by angel choirs… familiar lines…precious stories. And for a few important moments in that day my kids will be fixated on something bigger than the gold bow on the big box in the corner. Then comes prayer for our families; prayers of gratefulness and prayers that span the miles for loved ones very far away.

Then we will begin to dispense the gifts. Treasures that we’ve carefully selected for each other will be opened one by one and we will watch and celebrate with each other as we go along. Before you know it, everything is open and now its play time. I’ve got a lapful of toys that need put together, and my wife is running into the bedroom to try on the new sweater and back out again to model it for us.

Soon enough we’ll be at it in the kitchen preparing ham, baked applesauce, potatoes and all the rest, not forgetting dessert of course. By the time the evening winds down, we are all happy but exhausted. Once the kids are in bed, there’s time for Diane and I around the fireplace with a hot chocolate doused with spray whip before we turn in. We’ll reflect back and laugh at which gifts were a hit and which ones “bombed out.” We’ll comment on how we haven’t needed to go anywhere or watch anything on TV to fill our day. It’s just been a family celebration from start to finish, a celebration made possible by the goodness of God in our lives.

Some question whether Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. They argue that crime rises, depression settles in, waistlines bulge and wallets thin. Yet for those who understand the reason to celebrate, it really is special. I don’t doubt for a moment that God really enjoys seeing us celebrate, the Bible shows him as one who was always up for a good party. And so I hope your day of celebration brings you much peace and satisfaction. I know ours will.

So from our home to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with unspeakable joy.

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