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It's been a long hard day at work. I feel like I've been pulled every which way with constant demands. I've fielded calls all-day and stayed late in the office to finish sending off some reverts and project status updates.
During the drive home I can hardly keep awake. My body is on autopilot and as I get close to home all I can think of is soaking in a nice warm bath.
But as I pull up my driveway I am surprised by the sound of loud music and bright lights coming from my house. I do a double take to make sure I'm at the right address. People are streaming in and out in a festive mood. In the background I hear someone singing on a karaoke machine.
As I step over broken bottles and other junk on the ground, and press through the front door, I see banners on the walls, "Happy Birthday!" they proclaim.
I had totally forgot it was my big day! How sweet of them to throw me a surprise party!
I peer across the room to see my husband singing one of my favourite love songs. I wave at him, but he stares blindly through me, completely absorbed in his rendition. Gathered around him are my friends and family. I try to get closer to them, but get hemmed in by the mass of human bodies. It seems the crowd is getting bigger and bigger by the minute.
I start to feel dizzy with all the motion. I hardly recognize all these faces yet they are clearly here to celebrate my birthday; dressed up in their finest outfits and party hats, all-shrieking in excitement. After about 20 minutes of standing there, I start to wonder why no one is taking notice of my presence. Why no one mentions me at the party. And as a stranger in my own house, I am rooted in one spot numbly staring at the scene in front of me.
This short story describes how I think Jesus feels most of the time when Christmas rolls by after having spent a long year in the heavenly sanctuary, fielding our prayer requests and making petitions to God on our behalf.
If your city is anything like mine, then you have banners, billboards and lights all proclaiming "Merry Christmas" or "Happy X-mas" or the more popular "Happy Holidays" covering every free inch of advertising space. Mistletoe. Holly and jolly old Santa's at every shopping mall.
More and more each year, Christ is getting left behind as strangers hijack His day.
Some of these strangers fill churches to the brim. The one-day in the year they feel obligated to visit Jesus and promptly forget about Him the minute their feet hit the church door. Then it's the parties. Food. Friends. Shopping. Holiday trips, and all the hoopla that goes with celebrating Christmas day.
What a lonely time it must be. I imagine Jesus standing in heaven, numbly staring down at the scene unfolding on earth, wondering when anyone will take real notice of Him. Wondering why He didn't get invited to His own birthday party.
"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receiver Her King
Let every heart, prepare Him room...
The words of this classic hymn hold a clue as to how we should celebrate Christmas day. It's not about the gifts, the parties, the trips, or the food. It's about receiving and making room for our Lord and King in our hearts, our homes, our gatherings and all our plans.
This year, do remember to invite Jesus to your celebrations of His birthday. I bet He'd be glad to come.
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