When Does Christmas Come?

Holiday decorations appeared on the store shelves in early September. I spied the first festively themed movie on TV in October. Folks discussed on social media whether the day after Halloween was too early to put up the tree. My Christmas cactus started blooming last month. 

This made me wonder: How do we know when Christmas has come? Is the season here when we put up our Christmas trees and start decorating our homes? Does Christmas arrive whatever day we have our celebration with family and friends to open gifts together? And which day will that be anyway? Some families wouldn't think of getting together any day except December 25th. Others have established a tradition of sharing a meal and presents the weekend before or after Christmas day. My clan is gathering during New Year's week. So, when does Christmas come?

I suppose a lot depends on how we define Christmas. If the season only means decorations, buying and wrapping lots of gifts, baking cookies and pies, holiday parties, Santa, reindeer, carols, and cramming way too much activity into one short month - then the holiday may rush toward us crowding our days until we are exhausted. We survive our celebrations, then we gather up the wreckage of wrapping paper, put away the decorations, and breathe a sigh of relief until December rolls around again.

But what if that is not all there is? In the Dr. Seuss tale, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the Grinch has a moment of epiphany: 

Ah.There's the thing. Maybe Christmas means a whole lot more than a fun holiday to lighten up the cold dark winter days of December. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the traditional hustle and bustle of our cultural Christmas. Sharing a joyful time and making memories with people we love is a gift and a blessing. But there is also a perspective for much greater significance to this season in these words from the  gospel of Luke.

No one knows the exact date when Jesus was born. It could have been any month of the year. Churches traditionally celebrate the birth of the Christ Child in December.The date hardly matters.The event itself is what is so amazing.God ripped away the distance between himself and the people he created. He shattered time and space, crossed the great divide, and came to us in human form. Why?  

The all powerful, holy, creator, King of the universe loves us. He created us to have lives overflowing with joy, grace, hope, and truth. He fills us with purpose and possibilities. And the moment we realize this, whatever month or day of the year it happens to be - Christmas has come.

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