Reminders

 Getting the tree- a Christmas tradition to always do with dad

Christmas is over now, and it has been interesting to watch people’s reactions. It’s amazing how many changes take place just because one day passes. The stores have begun to put away all the wrapping paper and extra displays of Scotch tape, there are no more Christmas cards coming to our mailbox, and I’ve already seen several evergreen trees curbed by the side of the road. The stores are still crowded as they were before Christmas, but this time it’s because people either have gift cards to spend on themselves, or have unwanted gifts to return.  All the anticipation is over for now, and it will be until we’re all shocked to see Christmas displays going up in stores again in about..September. It’s like that scene from Elf where Santa comes into the workshop to announce the success he had in delivering toys which caused all the elves to cheer. What brought an even bigger celebration was his statement that it was time to start preparing for next Christmas. They worked so hard for one day, and as soon as it passed, they poured all of their energy into anticipation of the next.

On Christmas Eve I was out for a run. I found myself praying for myself, my friends, and my family, that we would all be reminded of the real meaning of Christmas. This idea is heard and shared all the time, especially in church. “Remember” you’ll hear, “Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus..the incarnation of the Savior of the world.” While all this is so true, I stopped in that moment and thought about the implications of what I was actually saying. Perhaps we need to be reminded to take the dog out or the trash. Perhaps we need to be reminded to turn in assignments or about certain deadlines that loom over our heads. We need reminders about the names of those people we have apparently been introduced to five times but still don’t know. We may even need to be reminded about when a certain birthday or anniversary takes place. The difference between these things and Christmas is that these things are details that our minds can completely grasp. “Take the dog out, Liann” “Oh, yea, I forgot, you had asked me to do that..sure thing, mom!” “Liann!!! We have an online Philosophy quiz, make sure to take it before Sunday night.” “Oh shoot! My roommate’s birthday is today!” All of these are real life occurrences..instances when I needed reminders about things to complete or prepare for. But that’s just it. When the reminder was given, I knew just what to do and say to take care of the matter at hand. They are details that did not require explanation or elaboration.

I realized on Christmas Eve that although I had good intentions in asking to be reminded of Christmas, I had incidentally trivialized Christmas into a detail that I could grasp like taking out the trash or turning in homework. I had assumed in that moment that wrapping my head around the meaning of the season was not only something that I could do, but something I had already done, and that I therefore only needed a reminder. But a simple reminder does not suffice. It does not let us fully grasp the majesty of the meaning of incarnate Christ.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be reminded about the real meaning of Christmas. We certainly live in a society that makes it all about the presents and cards and Scotch tape. I was challenged this year, however, to let Christmas become something that can continue to teach me and deepen my love for the Savior that it is supposed to celebrate. Not to mention the fact that the phrase “real meaning of Christmas” does not hold universal meaning. According to Elf, it refers to having childlike spirit and belief in Santa Claus…

This world would get bored with Christmas without the latest and greatest gifts to buy or designer paper to wrap it in. So isn’t it so amazing that dwelling on the implications of Christ’s incartation has the potential to grow continually richer?  

May our prayers ask for teaching concerning this radically life-changing truth.

Jesus, teach us the significance of your coming. And may this alter the way we live not just around Christmas time, but during every day in between.

Blessings to you.