Most westerners think of the Christmas season as the period between late November and December 25th. But technically that was Advent. The season of Christmas begins on December 25th. Does it matter? Yes.
The reason is in the words themselves:
Advent means “arrival.” Throughout Advent we anticipate Christ’s coming. And finally, on Christmas day, we celebrate his arrival, his presence with us. We eat. We laugh. We eat some more. But soon it will be time to go. Why? Because…
Christmas means “Christ’s sending.” Jesus was sent to redeem a lost and broken world, but according to Him, Christmas also means our sending (John 20:21). Just as the Father sent Him, He sends us. True, the Christmas season ends and the decorations must be put away. But the real Christmas–Christ’s sending–never ends. Which is why my old church in L.A. had a sign over the exit that read, “You are now entering the mission field.”
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis shows us a broken world where it is “always winter, and never Christmas.” We’re called to reverse that status, fellow disciples, to make this a world where it is…
Christmas forever!
“and to make this world how it should be…”
Thanks for reminding. Happy Christmas🎄
Thank you, BHAViN. Blessings.
What an inspiring reflection! I love how you emphasize Christmas as both a celebration of Christ’s arrival and a call to action for His mission. The connection to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is powerful—a reminder to bring light and hope into a broken world. Thank you for this uplifting message!
My privilege, John!
👏🤝🌷
I love this musing, Mitch, and the exit sign. 😊
Thanks, Carol.
Funny how we live for the moment, and when the moment passes the feeling begins to fade away.
Glad we don’t feel that way about our children.
My grandson was born on 11/1/24, our anniversary was 10/27, but we didn’t want to be out of town when he was born, so we stayed close waiting for his “arrival”.
Everyday is a blessing, and we will always celebrate his birthday, but he will grow everyday.
For Christmas to always be, Christ needs to grow in us always.
Thank you for the amazing thoughts.
Blessings.
Amen, and thank you, Pete. Blessings to you as well.
Thanks a lot for sharing these reflection!
My privilege, Luisa!
Great reflections, Mitch. 🙂
Thanks, Nancy.
I like this idea of Christmas forever! Just like at Christmas, if we could all continue to be kind, friendly, generous, donate to charities, celebrate Jesus Christ in our life, sing hymns, invite people to church… Awesome!
Amen, and thank you, Janet!
Love this so much! Thank you. Christmas forever. Amen.
Blessings, Caroll.
I was not raised to think of Christmas as a religious holiday. The factual evidence for Jesus’ birth actually points to Springtime and there is some doubt as to the year. There are a number of historical issues with the stories in both Matthew and Luke. That being said, I love that folks focus so much time on the birth of our Savior at Christmastime. I always thought there were only two accounts of Jesus’ birth but then I saw John’s account (John 1.1-5). Jesus has always been present and has always been the light in the darkness. I think of that and I remember that I am called to be a light in a often dark world. We have been sent forth!
Indeed we have, my Anonymous friend.
Nice post. We keep our Christmas decorations up till January 1st. Taking them down on the first day of the New Year symbolizes for us putting away the old year and starting the new.
Thank you (afraid I don’t know your name). We take our decorations down the first weekend of January for similar reasons.
Well said Christmas means Christ’s sending.🙏
Yes, well said! In our house, we don’t put up decorations until after Thanksgiving, although sometimes before actual Advent starts, and we leave them up until Epiphany. I think it’s important to keep both Advent and Christmas….and yes, Christmas is forever, because the one whose birth we celebrate is here forever!
Truly a beautiful post
Thank you, Linda.
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Love this, Mitch! And so timely. Christmas is forever and we should live it everyday.