“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
It’s that time of the year again, amongst the pandemic, it is a ray of hope for everyone. Deck the halls, stir the eggnog, place the star on the tree, wrap up the presents, a portrait under the mistletoe with your loved ones, and depending on how old you are a visit from “Santa”. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, every artist putting it out their Christmas album and everyone adorning their red sweaters. All in all it’s a joyful season and not just for a certain religious groups, across beliefs and race and ethnicities, everybody enjoys. Everybody celebrates Christmas, a few celebrate the real reason behind the season.
Over the years, we have looked at the true meaning behind Christmas. This season, it’s time for the Magnificat. Magnificat is one of the most popular song in the Bible, it’s the song of Mary. When Mary was pregnant with Jesus, she went to meet a friend of hers, and as soon as they greeted, the baby leaped with joy. Ouch, for the mother but Rejoice! For humanity. And when this happened, Mary sang a song. It is mentioned in the Bible. Christmas is popular for all the songs, and this is the first Christmas song and the most glorious one.
Mary sang, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” Mary’s response to God’s distinguishing goodness to her was overwhelming. She received from God a kindness that was so unique. The honor that was granted on her was one of the grandest of all, a peculiar honor, like never before. This season, we celebrate a God who pours down unmerited favors upon our lives, as we celebrate this baby in that manger, we also remember his goodness in our lives. Fitted to fill her heart with abounding joy. She was to become a mother, and the mother of One who should render to his people services of surpassing value; no wonder that her “spirit rejoiced” in such a prospect. We carry this same Jesus in our hearts, how excited are we to carry him? Do we show him off to others? Do we tell the world about the greatest joy that rules our hearts? Or is it a seasonal joy? A joy that comes out when the Christmas tree goes up? Let our Spirits rejoice in the savior, let us carry this joy for all to see.
“A little child, a shining star, a stable rude, the door ajar. Yet in that place, so crude, forlorn, the Hope of all the world was born.”