Christmas in a Carol

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmastide!

Earth's hopes awaken, Christ life has taken,

Laud Him, O laud Him on every side!

Not surprising, but I'm deep into a devotional titled Christ in the Carols by Christopher and Melodie Lane. It ties the message of yuletide song lyrics into the message of the Bible. You've got your typical Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. But there are also some forgotten harmonies such as a traditional German number 'O Thou Joyful Day' and 'The Happy Christmas Comes Once More' by Dane Nicolai F.S. Grundtrig. 

These older hymnals begged the question of what is Christmas. So, I'll put down the initial answer that filled my mind. It's a celebration.

Those who know me won't be surprised at this definition, as my spirit goes neon at the first hint of holiday themed shopping aisles and frosty October flurries. (The Christmas music goes on before October fifth and plays until March, people! Deal with it!) So speaking as someone whose enthusiasm could easily throw them into a coma, take it from me...

...the celebration only becomes better when you realize the ACTUAL celebrating part.

'But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, 

born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, 

that we might receive adoption to sonship.'

~Galatians 4:4-5~

There's a reason that Christmas gets us so hyped and nostalgic, excited and yearning. It's the time God designated to bring us closer to him. Entire generations were growing up far away from him. And the Creator of the Universe- or our hair and our breath- wasn't about to be resigned to that. 

He didn't just pass an edict, like a lot of the rulers were into back then. No, he GAVE a piece of himself- Jesus Christ- so that a pathway into His love would be possible! 

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown

When Thou camest to earth for me

~Emily E.S. Elliot, 1864~

He bridged the way to hope, grace, mercy, love, and compassion... the tools we find ourselves using in the constant spinning washing machine of our world.

'In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!'

~John 16:33~

He indeed overcame! And it all started at Christmas! So I stand by my answer of a celebration. (Be it 25 days or 52 weeks.) A celebration of who came and what he was to later bring!