What’s new for this Christmas? Perhaps a season where funds are low and life seems topsy turvy? And, if so, should we despair, and indulge in self-pity? Or, can we feel challenged to experience the true meaning of Christmas by simply scattering some kindness to others?

Today, I saw such act at the post office drive-through letter station. The wind blew an envelope out of one of the over-filled letter drops. A man ran, chasing the envelope, so he could re-deposit it for someone who was no doubt a stranger. A “Merry Christmas” message for another will now arrive.

We can get into the buying “hoop-la,” where it seems all about shopping and frantic antics as we race against the clock with some anxiety about December 25 “getting so close.” Puzzling over what to buy—and who we might be forgetting—we buck the traffic. Plus the crowds can just plain wear us out! With time stretching taut as a rubber band, it is easy to think something might snap and maybe that something could be you, or me!

All of this is part of the holiday scene in most American homes.  But let’s think for a moment about how we might find and extend to others what Christ, in coming to this world, meant to bring. Light where there is darkness. Empathy where there is loneliness . . . and tender hearted prayerfulness for the many who are teetering on the edge of survival.

The gospel is most challenging. Jesus spoke of bringing the poor into our homes. And, it is not always monetary poverty that people are dealing with. There is social poverty—and the physical poverty that poor health can bring. We celebrate with gifts, yes. Yet a gift of time can be greater, by far, than anything that might be purchased, like an evening’s visit, a Sunday call, a note which is unexpected. Could there be a neighbor, friend or distant relative that we might consider extending our Christmas to, someone we have not thought of for a long stretch of time?

But when it all comes down to facts, Christmas comes to us because of Christ. He is the true and lasting reason for celebrating. Most of us have received countless gifts in life. Yet, have we truly accepted the gift of His personhood? Having a cognitive knowledge of God is far different than having the experience of the One (Jesus) who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). So, we celebrate Christmas with lights all over the place. But, do we miss finding “the light of life” through reaching for His presence—and His love—that can change us . . . make us all of what we were meant to be?

We soon will be meeting Christ in the manger as we recall the greatest happenstance the world has experienced—one that has changed billions of lives. It will be no time at all before we “meet Him,” again, at Lent in the story of the cross.  But it is the daily experiencing of Jesus Christ, knowing Him on an intimate basis that changes and fills our lives with light. Clearly, He came to this earth, not because God the Father demanded or expected this of Him, but because of His love for us. We, the people, are His treasure. We bring our lives to Him—gifts better than frankincense, myrrh and gold.

So, Christmas comes annually as an opportunity for some to discover Christ. Others, will “miss it,” breeze by it, letting commercialism rule. Meanwhile, believers worship Christ as our thoughts are foremost of Him. For over two thousand years, believers have found Jesus Christ to be the greatest of all treasures. While pondering the majesty of Jesus lying in a manager, we find him vitally alive in our hearts. Seeking, wherever possible, to carry His light and love into every nook and corner of the world that He has entrusted to us. This is our gift back to Him.

So, “What’s new for Christmas?” Perhaps, for some, it will be finding the majesty of Christ for the first time.