Dillon Community Church

Many years ago, Christmas Eve found Cathie and me at K-Mart, in a frenzy; relentlessly hunting and gathering toys, running through the picked-over, blue-lit aisles. Long before Amazon popped up to fill our empty carts with previously unknown needs, wishes, and expectations, there was the time-honored journey to multiple stores in search of the latest, greatest gadget, gear, or toy for those we love, to show our love. 

Hurriedly wrapped or dumped in a gift bag, we somehow pulled it off, averted the cries of anguish on Christmas morning, but wondered, “Is it really worth all that?” 

How did the precious gifts of wise travelers, given to a baby after following a providential Star, become this crass commercial travesty? 

I wonder if the reason Mary and Joseph had to journey to Bethlehem was really to take them away from the parents and grandparents, uncles and aunties, who all had opinions and must-dos for the new parents, with the feasting, baby presents, and stuff we surround ourselves with at such a time. Maybe we literally must “Prepare Him room”, as we sing in Joy to the World. Create space, margins, quiet enough to hear the small still voice. 

Maybe Jesus doesn’t mean to just fill up the cracks in our time, somewhere between the gifts and the Christmas ham. Maybe he wants to give light to the whole world, beginning with our families.  I pray that we will each be able and willing to “prepare Him room.” 

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come! Let earth receive her King! 

Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing!

‍

Steve Hill
Elder