Last night, my wife and I shut off the noise of the day, turned on Hulu, and watched the holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The animation was rudimentary. The dialogue simple. The message, masterful.
As I listened to the one-liners, I thought about 2020, especially when Linus, a favorite childhood character, told Charlie Brown, “that of all the Charlie Brown’s in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.” The same could be said for 2020.
“Of all the 2020s, this year has been the 2020iest!”
But unlike Charlie Brown, I’m not going to take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Instead, I’m going to turn over a few stones and search for a blessed morsel. Something I can hang my star on and look towards tomorrow with the same hope and wonder I felt as a child, on the eve of Christmas.
The moment, just before I shut my eyes and peer out the window, one last time, looking for Santa’s sleigh. Hoping I was good enough this year not to find a lump of coal in the stocking. Praying that when I wake up the next morning, gifts with my name will find their way under my tree.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Over 2,000 years ago, it was a day like any other. People closed up shop, milled about their homes, and prepared a meal. A pair of travelers arrived in town, seeking shelter. Little did they know that in two days, the birth of their child would change the world. All the events of their lives summed up in one glorious occasion.
What about you? Where have the events of your life led you this year? What life-altering events will occur for you in the next two days? I wish I had an answer for you, or for myself, for that matter. I don’t. All I know is it’s Christmas Time. Regardless of the challenges of our time, there’s hope in the air.
Hope that I plan to grasp. To cling to. To wish and spread to the world. Even if it’s with this simple post. So, tomorrow, I’m going to grab my blue blankie, nestle up with my loved ones, watch Christmas movies, and laugh till my sides hurt, knowing that tomorrow brings joy and peace.
I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Glorious Happy New Year!!
(Numbers 6:24-26)
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