The Way in a Manger

Here's a thought from a frustrated Hallmark movie viewer. "Men will say they don't watch Hallmark Christmas movies because they're unrealistic, but then watch a Godzilla movie about a giant lizard that breathes fire." Hmm, I’ve got to think about that one.

Speaking of Hallmark movies, I have a confession to make. Here it is. Get ready. My wife Becky and I watch Hallmark movies in December. Thankfully, it’s only at this time of the year. We tried to watch one of those movies on Valentine's Day but turned it off. It just was different from Christmas time. I know what you're thinking - I must hand in my man card. My wife harasses me when I tear up at a movie's end. But I notice she still wants to watch them. To her, watching Hallmark movies is part of the Holiday season.

What is a Hallmark movie? It’s a chick flick bonanza: romance, hot chocolate, cookies, poinsettias, family, friends, perfectly decorated houses with Christmas decorations everywhere, and romantic locations like Vermont, Scotland, Paris, or the Bayou. It’s about a career girl returning to her small hometown from the big city and her $130,000 a year job to the vulnerable, handsome single man who repairs fans whose wife was run over by a truck two years before and left two adorable children who are perfect. Alas, there is an inevitable dramatic misunderstanding at the movie's end, and they get together. And, if it’s a spectacular movie, there is always a prince from somewhere I have never heard of. These kinds of movies make coffee nervous.  

I still don't understand how you can see the moon while it's snowing. I also need to find out how they make a living baking Christmas cookies. What happens after the movie is over? Two years later, does snow start falling whenever they look at each other? Do they still like hot cocoa? Becky says she watches these movies to see if there is ever a different ending. So far, we’re still watching.

This holiday stuff reminds me of Hank Ketcham’s popular Dennis the Menace cartoon. The scene is on Christmas afternoon, and Dennis has finally opened all his presents. He is up to his chin in wall-to-wall toys. You can’t see the floor for all his gifts and toys. The caption is a lament. Dennis says, “Is this all?” 

Is Hallmark all there is to Christmas? Are opening presents, a dinner, and football all there for Christmas? Is that all? For many, Christmas dries up faster than a Christmas tree on a stand indoors. The tree withers and dries up no matter what you do. Why? Because the tree is cut off from its roots. Christmas is, too. 

What is Christmas all about? Christmas comes around each year to jog our memories and to remind us how much we need a Savior. Might I add to this sentence of how much we need a Savior with how much we have a Savior? So, let me take you into ‘Delphland’ and share what real Christmas is about via Christmas songs you have heard. 

God made a way in the manger for you and me to get back in touch with God, and that’s a joy to the world. On that first noel, in the little town of Bethlehem, Christmas came upon a midnight clear on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Love’s pure light came when the Christ child was away in a manger. Jesus came with radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace. 

So, God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. Why not come all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant, and come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord? 

When you understand and recognize this, you can deck the halls with boughs of holly, ride in a one-horse open sleigh, dream of a white Christmas, have some figgy pudding, and ring those silver bells. Why? You know the reason for the season. You know what Child this is, now in flesh appearing. He made ‘a way’ in the manger, for a way to the Cross. Jesus was born to raise the sons of earth and give them a second birth – glory to the newborn King. 

There you are, Christmas! I couldn’t find you because I didn’t know the reason for the season. God uses Christmas to help us wake up, shake up, and put on our heaven-inspired spiritual makeup. Powerful memories of family, traditions, the holiday season, even Hallmark movies, and presents under the tree are only vehicles to bring to our remembrance the greatest Christmas gift of all, Jesus Christ. That’s what Christmas is all about.

God uses Christmas like the Star that led the “we three kings of Orient are” to Christ. Why? Because God knows humans need a star to guide them through the dark nights they will have in life. Even though the wise men were wealthy, educated rulers and had every available comfort, they were wise enough to know they needed a guide. 

Do you want to know the real meaning of Christmas this Christmas? Follow the Star, the substance, not just the shadows, that leads you to Jesus - gently leading, still proceeding, guiding us to His perfect light. This year, to save you from fear, give your heart to someone special. 

So have yourself a merry little Christmas now!