By John Ross Thompson

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of Gods heaven.
No ear may hear Gods coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in.

These words from Phillips Brooks O Little Town of Bethlehem seem to fit very well now that Christmas is here.  For years, they have helped me to focus on what this holy day means.  Much of the busyness of this season is past, gifts are purchased and given, and its time to let the meaning of Christs coming soak into the depth of our being.

Dont miss Christmastide!  The season between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6) used to be the time when Christmas was celebrated.  Christmas trees appeared on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and the days of celebration continued until Epiphany, the traditional day for the coming of the Magi.  Now, its next to impossible to find Christmas songs or spiritual stories during this time. In fact, as one cable network puts it, December 26 means holiday recovery time.  Many persons dont even come to worship in the days following Christmas day.

Advent in many cases has been destroyed by the frantic rush to get everything ready, planning purchases, scheduling travel, attending concerts and other holiday events, and making sure that Christmas is just right.

It reminds me of brides who are so panicked about the details of their weddings that they miss the deep meaning of the commitment they are making.

But Christmastide, these 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany, is not spoiled.  Many schools are out, work schedules in some places are reduced, and some families have a chance to be together.  We have already completed much of the holiday activity we had planned.  This, I suggest, is the time to play the Christmas carols and ponder the meaning of their words. Its time to sit back, enjoy the break from normal routine, and consider what it means that God has come to earth.  Its time to re-read the cards and Christmas letters which remind of us of rich relationships through the years, and to contact those who have meant so much to us.

Read the Christmas stories again from scripture, including the search of the Magi for the Christ child.  Pray that our world will be changed for the better.  Consider what we can do in the new year to make the coming of Christ real for more people.  Resolve to let God change us as Jesus changed the world when he came.

Merry Christmas!  Holy Christmastide!