Article December 19, 2011 Issue

My year-round Christmas

By Nancy Robison

When I was a youngster, I thought Christmas was just about getting presents. In fact, one year I was so anxious about getting a “magic skin doll” that I actually made myself sick. This trend went on for several years as I wished for this or that toy.

Then one day in Sunday School my perspective changed. We read the story of the nativity in the first chapter of Matthew and the second chapter of Luke, and I realized that Christmas was not about my getting what I wanted. It was all about love—the love that Jesus brought to the world, throughout his career of healing and even after the crucifixion and resurrection. This realization healed me of any concern for gifts that I might or might not receive.

When the wise men found the inn where Jesus was born, they knelt before him with precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They didn’t take anything away. They gave. With great love and humbleness they bowed before the Christ child, without expecting anything in return. They were truly giving their love for the blessed event. Joseph, Mary, and the wise men all listened for divine Love’s guidance, and as a result Joseph was led to go to Egypt with Mary and Jesus because of Herod’s threat. And the wise men were led to go to their own country and not return to Herod. 