I love Christmas! Entering into December, I find myself surrounded by lights, a new tree, decorations, and songs playing over the sound systems of Costco, Home Depot, and a variety of restaurants. Of course, some of these things began just before Halloween, but I digress.
May I make a confession? In this season of my life, faith, family, and ministry, I am becoming more and more aware of the reality that apart from Jesus, I can do nothing. He said it; I am just repeating it.
You see, I used to be the guy for whom Christmas Music has a 22-day window. It would start after the 3rd and finish on the 25th. About six years ago, in mid-June, I was driving, and the shuffle option on my phone played a Chris Tomlin song - a Christmas Chris Tomlin song to be more clear. It was the Song, Emmanuel. It hit me (like a truck, I might add).
With every word, every note, a new tear fell, and I was undone. "Jesus. Always here. Always with me. Always for me." I kept thinking, "This is a Christmas song in June; what is wrong with me?" I can tell you, but it is not new. "Apart from Jesus, I can do nothing."
In a few seconds, my "Christmas Music Rules" changed, and I played that song for the next 300 miles of driving, again, and again, and again.
Over the past six years, Christmas music has played in my car year-round. Not the "Snowy magical animal kind of Christmas Music," but the Jesus song kind. This morning, while reading the Christmas story from Luke's Gospel, I came across the very first Christmas song. If you think it is the one the angels sang to shepherds, it isn't. The first Christmas song is the one Mary wrote when she got "The News" that changed everything. Take a minute and read the words.
"My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors."
Emmanuel, God With Us - even in June when Christmas used to have no place in my car.