16 Days to Christmas. Wednesday, Dec 9, 2020

“Humbug!”

Oh, don’t get grouchy. There’s no need to worry. You are still ahead of CoviNeezer. He ain’t got it, yet! The Postal Service can easily deliver on time and Amazon can get stuff here tomorrow. You don’t need to decide on your gifts, yet.

However, it’s time to start giving them some serious thought. The mysteries and unknowns of this Christmas are helping us reflect on everything of the past, present, and future.

The past? This year is full of “What we can’t do this year” thoughts, many of which are based on blessings from the past. Those fond memories are still ringing clearly in our minds, but by now, most of us have accepted the grim reality that this year will not include them.

The present? Wow. What will we want to remember from Christmas 2020? The king of party-poopers, CoviNeezerScrooge, is changing his course every day, creating confusion and causing feelings of regret and resentment. Even these annual devotions are impacted since none of them can be written without referencing the virus, mask requirements, or social distancing. (Wasn’t that a clever way to work it in?).

The future? Who knows? I think all of us are just hoping that next Christmas will not include a pandemic. Most of us will probably just be thankful for a healthy Christmas with our loved-ones next year. Wait a minute…what was that? Could it be that when it comes down to our greatest memories and fondest wishes, the only thing we really want is to celebrate with friends and family?

Wow. Maybe we have learned much more this year than we thought. Maybe the only thing we really need is each other, and a fond thankfulness of God’s gift to us through Christmas. Namely, a Savior that can turn any Scrooge into a Jacob Marley or Tiny Tim!

“The enemy hunted me down; he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life. He put me in a black hole, buried me like a corpse in that dungeon. I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead. I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked, stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.” (Psalm 143:3-6, The Message)

“God bless us, everyone!”