A Sense of Gladness

From the Scriptures, the record of the Christmas Story has several spectacular events. From the appearance of the angel Gabriel, the heavenly host praising God in front of terrified shepherds, the miracle of conception in Elizabeth's formerly barren womb and the arrival of the Magi guided by the star.
In the Church, these events are mentioned in the carols sung, the sermons preached and the seasonal activities (be it skits, cantatas, etc) conducted.
In the world, albeit rarely, we see malls plastered with decorations depicting angels, wise men and the Babe in a manger.

These supernatural events delight our imagination, instilling a sense of gladness in the air. Christmas greetings abound at the workplace. Friends reconnect over dinner tables laden with festival foods. Families install Christmas trees in their living rooms. People flock to the malls, picking up Christmas gifts.

So what is the thing that makes the air around us shimmer with this gladness?

The answer would be obvious to Christians - Jesus Christ should be the reason.

In Matt 1:18, Matthew begins the account of the Birth with "Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way...".

Luke likewise, begins the account with the appearance of angel Gabriel, informing Zechariah that their son, John the Baptist, would be used to "make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Lk 1:16-17) John was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. (Jn 1:23)
Then in Luke 1:28-31, the angel Gabriel calls Mary "favoured one" because she was to bear Jesus Christ.

The supernatural events merely proclaimed the advent of the Event. They point to Jesus Christ.


Being brought up in a Christian environment, perhaps it is easier for me to resist the fickle "Christmas" entertainment (which is excessive) found in the world.
However, I find myself getting lost in the peripheral things. That "sense of gladness" ends up rooted in the supernatural Biblical accounts, instead of Jesus Christ. And that is not a real gladness; it is just a sense of gladness.
It is just as fickle as the world and just as misdirected as the world.

The Christmas Story is about Jesus Christ. The sole reason for singing carols is because of Jesus Christ. The sermons preached, the stories retold, the productions on stage - all must point to Jesus Christ. All who participate in such activities must remember Who they speak of - Jesus Christ. Who condescended to us. Shared our human sorrow. Bore our sin and shame - even to death on a tree. That is where my gladness stems from. It is weighted in reverent joy and focused only on Jesus Christ.