“[The Son] is the radiance of the glory of God … and He upholds all things by the Word of His power…” “… and in Him all things consist” (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17).
Christmas (like everything) depends on Jesus. You probably knew that. But knowing something is not the same as holding it in your consciousness (or better yet, having it hold your consciousness). Consider two gospel readings from before and after Christmas. In one, John is in prison, soon to be executed; in the other, the infants in Bethlehem are executed. Then consider yourself and your own troubles. Isn’t Jesus doing anything about your problems either? Does it help if we complain or feel sorry for ourselves?
Christmas isn’t Jesus taking away our troubles in this corrupt world, but rather taking away the power of those troubles to defeat us. God, in Christ, established a kingdom in which God gives life and insight, especially when that seems most unlikely, as in Jesus’ own crucifixion and death.
Christmas depends on Jesus—the Light of His Word shining in our darkness and reflected by us in restfulness, serenity, contentment, and love for others that flows from the abundance of God’s giving to us. “For the momentary, light affliction is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
A joyful and blessed Christmas to all.