There was some big excitement at the Smith house the other night. Almost of its own accord, the Christmas tree fell over. Though she was seen running from the commotion, eyewitness accounts confirm the dog was not to blame. Neither child was in the room at the time and no suspicious persons were seen loitering in the living room. According to authorities, a well-intended adult Smith was attempting to water the tree when one light tap in the right direction sent the tree reeling. The tree was righted, the mess was tidied up, and all is again right in the living room.
This seems like a metaphor for what many of us feel this time of year. We try to act like everything is alright. Everything may seem alright from the outside, but everything may be far from alright. All of us carry brokenness and hurt. All of us have issues in families and relationships. For some reason, those issues can all bubble to the surface this time of year.
Yet Jesus still breaks into the world on Christmas to remind us there is hope. The Child of Bethlehem arrives to heal our brokenness and show us a better way. It’s still Advent, but Christmas is coming.
Yours in Christ,
Thomas W. Smith