Our family got into an argument last Christmas Eve. It wasn’t a fight about any kind of significant issue, but we disputed over what movie to watch. Along with checking out the festive lights, a Christmas Eve movie is a tradition, and one that caused quite a bit of tension in the year of 2020.
There were actual tears shed.
Anger over movie suggestions escalated, name calling regarding choice titles ensued, eye-rolls became full body resentment toward my husband’s proposals for classics, and when my youngest mentioned the possibility of Frozen, I had to protect her from the older siblings.
This continued until I finally threw a pillow at the couch and subsequently yelled, “It’s Christmas, for heaven’s sake! Just be happy!”
Because isn’t that what Christmas is supposed to be? Happy? We’re supposed to all get along and choose a movie like the loving, civilized people we are!
For the love of Christmas movies.
I know many experience pure happiness during Christmas, but often, it’s this time of year that reveals our deep longings for all to be made right because there is usually much that goes wrong. There are arguments, disappointments, attitudes of ungratefulness, the meat is overcooked, sickness disrupts plans, and for many, there is a tender ache as family members are missed because of death or distance.
Mary’s Magnificat in the book of Luke opens with these joy-filled words: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” But these words did not spill from her lips because she was in a time of ease and void of turmoil.
In fact, it was just the opposite. What God called Mary to do pales in comparison with most of the anxieties we face in this life. As a teen, she must have feared for her life knowing what happened to women who conceive out of wedlock. As a believer in God, she must have felt inadequate for the path He had called her to, and as a mere human, she must have been confused by the plan announced by the angel.
But Mary rejoiced.
I can’t help but think of John Piper’s words: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Mary’s song echoes this truth in profound ways. God’s strength is magnified in her weakness, and He is glorified in her fear, inadequacy, and confusion because she unrelentingly puts her hope and trust in Him.
Christmas is not about feeling happy when all goes smoothly and as planned, but it’s about magnifying our Savior who came to earth to pay the penalty for our sin. And the only way we truly do this is by humbly acknowledging our inabilities and submitting to God’s perfect will. Trust with hope that there will be a day when all will be made new, and in the meantime, our holy God is doing great things in and through our weaknesses.
Our Savior humbles the strong and magnifies his strength by exalting the weak. What a marvelous God we serve. Are you weary this season? Are you tired of trying to live up to impossible expectations, or do you feel emotionally drained by suppressing sorrow simply because this is supposed to be the “hap-happiest season of all…”?
“Come to me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden,” Jesus says, “and I will give you rest.” May we be consumed this Christmas by the wonder and grace of Jesus and find in Him the satisfaction our souls are longing for. Whether we celebrate with smiles or through the tears, may our hearts rejoice in remembering the great things God has done, and may our weakness bear witness to His magnificence.
