Your Covid Christmas Gift

The familiar song joyfully proclaims the arrival of the Christmas season as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” What is it about Christmas that makes it so special? Is it really the giving and receiving of gifts that we look forward to? Or is it something more?

As a Christian, my desire at Christmas is to commemorate the birth of my Savior and not get caught up in the “Whoville” busyness of the season. But there are still preparations that are necessary in order to host a family gathering, even though our gathering is smaller this year. How do I strike a balance between worship and work, praise and provision? Surprisingly, it is Covid that has changed my perspective on what is necessary and what is superfluous. I’m spending less time cooking this year. More time enjoying my family.

I don’t know a single person who hasn’t been impacted by Covid. This dreadful virus has brought so much calamity. Fear. Sickness. Death. Struggles. Separation. As I survey the aftermath of this year, I realize that sin has brought those very same tragic consequences into our lives. Fear. Sickness. Death. Struggles. Separation. But our sin virus doesn’t just have a vaccine; it has a cure! Born out of mercy and birthed in a stable, God’s rescue from these wretched consequences is what we celebrate at Christmas.

There is no greater gift than this deliverance. But there is something else. Another precious gift was wrapped in those swaddling clothes. It was the gift of family. Mary and Joseph started their family in that humble stable. They looked in wonder at their firstborn child just as we have looked with wonder at our own children. And their hearts were filled with joy. May our hearts be filled with joy this Christmas as we reflect on the gift of family. If anything, I think that Covid has brought us a new appreciation for connecting with family and friends.

No matter what this year has brought, my prayer is that the precious gifts of redemption, family, and friendship bring celebration to you this Christmas. “And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46). This truly is our something more.