Where's the Magic?

I sat in a beautiful decorated church building yesterday. Beautiful, white paper birch trees lined the stage. Each one had red cardinals intricately places on a branches, and lights hit the the trees at just the right spots. A cozy fireplace, decorated to the hilt, in the center of the stage completed the picturesque scene. Poinsettias were placed all over the church building. Big, gorgeous wreaths hung from the walls. The manger scenes throughout the church were thoughtfully placed and told the true meaning of Christmas. I enjoyed walking around looking at all the Christmas beauty filling every crevice of the building.

This is our first year in our new home, and we were so excited to decorate it for Christmas. We purchased a fresh, cut fir that towers in our front room. I lined the banisters going upstairs with a fir garland, pine cones, berries, and lights. Sentimental stockings are hung on the fireplace. Other artificial trees are placed throughout the house. The kids nutcracker collection was meticulously placed by them. Our manger scene stands majestically above our front door in the perfect place. James and the kids enjoyed decorating the outside festively. My mom brought over an exquisite wreath to don our front porch. Our home is the picture of Christmas I had dreamed it to be.

I have bought so many gifts that I wouldn't even be able to count them. Gifts for family, teachers, students, friends and neighbors are spilling over in our house. I shop bargain racks all your long in preparation for Christmas. Sometimes, I even forget what I bought, and am so excited to find little things here and there to give away.

We have been preparing for the kid's Christmas parties at school. I have been diligently working with my piano and voice students on Christmas music. We have went to light shows and an ice skating rink. We have watched Christmas movies and baked Christmas cookies. Cards have been bought to send to our loved ones. We have went caroling and are preparing for another caroling event this week. Our Christmas season has been FILLED with all things Christmas.

But with all the lights and music, something seems missing. I was talking to some people yesterday, and we agreed that there is a sadness this year that is permeating the very air we breathe. It's like the magic has been stripped away from Christmas. Maybe it's the sickness all around. Maybe it's the family and friend gatherings that are being cancelled. Maybe it's the political unrest. Maybe it's all the burdens that have been placed on our shoulders after an extremely hard year. Maybe it's a combination of things. But, I certainly feel deep in my soul that the magic of Christmas has been stripped from us despite all of my efforts to keep it alive.

Maybe Jesus is beckoning us to experience Him more deeply than we ever have at Christmas. Maybe those days that were once filled with huge Christmas parties will be used this year to spend quiet time with the One in whom we find the true meaning of our celebration. Maybe it's time to truly behold the simplicity of the manger and everything our Lord forsook to bring us salvation. Maybe the magic that was felt with the tinkle of every bell and the twinkle of every light can be found in the quietness of our own hearts this Christmas as we engage in true, meaningful worship of our King.

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."

Isaiah 60:1