COVID Christmas

What comes to your mind when you think of Christmas?

Pine trees with sparkling ornaments and twinkling lights? Carefully wrapped gifts under the tree? Family get-togethers and festive meals? Football games, shopping, and snoozing after big meals? Christmas-eve services or family prayer time?

For the first 11 years of my life, Christmas meant nothing to me. And, I have no memories such as the above. Why? Because I was not a believer of Jesus Christ. Our family didn’t sing or listen to Christmas carols. We didn’t watch movies like Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life (I know I just dated myself!). We didn’t have turkey or ham or other traditional dishes. There were no gifts. Christmas was, well, just a holiday in winter months.

That all changed when I became a follower of Jesus Christ. I distinctly remember the very first and meaningful Christmas when I was 14 years old. Our family had moved to the US three years prior, we started attending a church, my dying mother was miraculously healed by God’s touch, and I had accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord. All of that made Christmas special to our family that year. For the first time ever, my dad brought home a Christmas tree--not a synthetic one from Home Depot but a real tree freshly cut only minutes ago. Oh, I can still smell the pine needles! How exciting it was to unload it from the roof rack of my dad’s station wagon and carry it into the house! What a joyful commotion it was!! We decorated the tree, placed some gifts under it, and celebrated the first real Christmas ever for our family. I also enjoyed listening to Christmas hymns and carols for I was thankful for the birth of the Savior who willingly gave up His privileges, rights, and ultimately His life so that I can be redeemed. I cried many times because I was so moved by His birth and sacrifice.

Christmas in 2020 will be highly unusual in the sense that COVID-19 has shut down the economy and even family gatherings are discouraged. Experts tell us that cold weather will wreak havoc for the next few months. But, you know what? Don’t let the grim news get you down. Do try to see the big picture. Though the pandemic is lingering and causing anxiety and fear, God is in control. God is not surprised or puzzled by what's happening today. And, Christmas reminds us to place our priority on Jesus, not on earthly things that preoccupy us.

Especially in this season, remember the Reason to celebrate and rejoice. If possible, tune into Christmas carols and hymns. Fill your heart with the angelic herald, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23). This is the fulfillment of what was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let that truth sink in. Let it change your mindset and perspective.

I pray you'll allow the real meaning of Christmas take deep root in your heart. That’s what we need to do--put aside the commercialized, hollow version of Christmas and return to the core message and truth. With that said, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.