It was time once again for the hectic traffic and the overspending. It was time for men to grab a red suit and take pictures with children in department stores. It was time for the holiday rush, the decorating, and the giving.
It was time for the true meaning of Christmas to loom above Christian’s heads; who really likes to celebrate the birth of the Christ child and not relish the free gifts that they receive? Yes, Christmas is about giving… and getting, but Christian’s must not get too carried away by the ordeal and forget completely about Jesus, for He is the true reason of the winter celebration. People, however, tend to forget this and would rather not spend time thanking the Lord for this births because it happens every year. Every December 25th Christians have worshiped the birth of the King. Gradually, it’s become old. Gifts, however, do not grow old when first received. Presents have a new lust that the receiver has never experienced before. Gifts are new, Jesus is old. The has-been. The world of today has moved on. Yes, they thank Him at Christmas dinner and go to church, but do they fully appreciate?
Soap wanted to fully appreciate the birth. She wanted to feel free from the public’s thoughts of how it’s not Christmas without presents, Santa, and buying useless objects. She wanted to be content with just worshiping little Jesus Christ.
But how?
This question was still probing her mind when she set out with her parents to go to her church’s annual candlelight service. The small building of worship held the service each Christmas Eve. Her parents were bundled with heavy coats, but Soap shivered in the frosty air with her thin sweater. They briskly crossed the concrete walkway and into the church’s welcoming doors. The coldness instantly melted and warmth and joy blanketed itself around her. Her parents led the way into the fairly small sanctuary, pamphlet and candlestick in hand.
While waiting for the service to begin, Soap gazed around her. She felt slightly under dressed: a handful of young men where wearing dressy suits and women where clad in festive outfits, while a pair of faded jeans clung to her and a sweater covered her torso. Sandwiched between her parents, she sat low in her seat, not wanting to draw attention to herself and her shabby outfit.
The reverend suddenly spoke into his microphone, thanking everyone for coming to the church on that cold night. The service had begun. A piano clinked a song followed by an organ. Songs were sung and bells chimed. Melodies strummed through the air and the voices of the choir were soothing.
Finally the time came for the reverend to give his sermon. Soap straightened in her seat; how would the speech go? The norm for this particular reverend was to drawl on for what seemed hours, slowly causing sleep to close weary eyes and give birth to dreams in bored minds.
This sermon, however, was different. Soap could tell from the first word that tore from his lips. The sermon held the congregation’s interest. The main message was planted into her mind, but something else occurred. As the night grew older, a warmth once again clothed her. This time it wasn’t the air that was filled with joy, but her heart. God had nestled Himself in her, and she was content.
For the first time in her life, Soap completely appreciated the true meaning of Christmas. She felt it would be just fine if she didn’t receive a thing for Christmas. None of that mattered now. In her life if it was just God and her, she would be perfectly fine. No extra gifts, no unnecessary items.
Just Him and her.
