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Why Do We Celebrate The Birthday of Jesus?
Brian Mashburn
December 17, 2017
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Christmas Time
At this time of year, on the street that I live on, a profound and noticeable transformation happens, whether I like or not, and it affects me, whether I like it or not.
I live on one end of a mile-long stretch of street. On the other end, there live some neighbors who take their Christmas decorations very seriously. Very seriously. Their strip of houses is known as "Candy Cane Lane," and has become a must-see destination for Christmas light tours. Over the years, almost as if their zeal is unavoidably contagious, this Candy Cane has pushed and spread its way towards my end of the street. Let me tell you, I have some creative, artistically minded neighbors (with plenty of spare time and money, evidently).
Why am I telling you this? Because, interestingly, this annual transformation puts a bit of pressure on those of us who do not do this, TO do this. My family does its version of decorating, but since it doesn't match the cultural practice and expectation around me, evidently I don't have Christmas spirit like I should.
Today, we are contributing to the Christmas season by singing and talking about the birth of Christ. Which, like the lights, is beautiful and good. But, like the lights, this season can put a bit of pressure on people to "be of good cheer" when, frankly, they have some reasons not to be.
I want to be sensitive to everyone. I want to enter into this season like Jesus entered into the world, with a desire to make room for all. Christmas is often a magnifier – everything good feels a little bit better, and everything bad feels a little bit worse.
May God be with us in all of it.