Eric Reece
Once, a member asked me if I allowed the congregation to sing Christmas hymns before Christmas.
Not sure what field I was stepping in, I said, “Sure, I have no problem with that.”
Some years before, a pastor had tried to teach the congregation the importance of Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. This is a period of preparation and waiting for the birth of the promised savior. He wanted to hold off on singing Christmas carols during worship until Christmas Eve. I understood what he was trying to do, but things didn’t go well for him and I guess my answer passed the test.
Christmas time is coming, but the season gets longer and longer. Winter can be rough on our physical and mental well being. It’s difficult to have a holly, jolly Christmas when you feel out-of-sorts or depressed. Some people feel sadness, loneliness and struggle with trying to stay joyful amidst their sadness.
It is a time to recognize our feelings and take care of ourselves.
One of my favorite Advent/Christmas carols is, “In the Bleak Midwinter” by poet Christina Rosetti (1830-94).
A very devout Christian, Rosetti wrote of the winter long ago when it was harsh, hard and cold.
The first verse, “In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow.”
“In the bleak mid-winter long ago” is a reminder the world was not a friendly place for Jesus.
Thinking of the wind moaning at the bleakness of winter reminds me of how we can feel as the days grow colder, the nights grow longer and darker. Bleak can describe winter, yet also how we feel during the darkest time of the year.
The Apostle Paul’s words, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22) tells of the waiting of all creation for our savior.
The winter months are also a time when families are hit by the death of loved ones. I used to wonder if more people died during the winter months than the rest of the year. I found out the answer is “yes,” and it is because of the flu and other respiratory diseases.
Losing a loved one is difficult any time, but it just hits me harder around Christmas. To help people recognize the sadness of the season – yet not let it overwhelm us – churches started holding a service of worship on the longest night of the year Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice. The service is called either “The Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas.”
The final verse of the carol asks each individual for a response to the savior who gave up everything to save us. How do we respond?
“What can I give Him, Poor as I am? – If I were a Shepherd I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man I would do my part, – Yet what I can I give Him, – Give my heart.”
Is there a greater gift we can give during Christmas than our hearts?
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.