We moved to a new house early this year before the uncertainty and fear of the covid pandemic swept in.  It was a tad bittersweet to sell our home and acreage of eighteen years and move back to the city, yet we welcomed the change.  We had tried to move for several years, so the timing was true evidence of divine orchestration.

For the first time in our marriage, we bought ourselves a Christmas tree during Thanksgiving weekend.  It was a break from tradition.  When we were but five months married, in the heart of a wintery December in Canada, we ventured out on a moonlit night to tromp through deep snow in search of our perfect first tree.  Though less romantic but definitely full of fun, we kept up the tradition of cutting down our own tree every year with our children.  Not an easy accomplishment in North Carolina.  But, as for 2020 with all its craziness….we easily chose the simpler way of securing a tree.

It’s been lovely making our new home festive for Christmas with a Fraser Fir, wreaths, garlands, lots of lights, and advent candles.  I dared to strip down the sentimental grapevine wreath from our wedding of many years past and transform it into something Christmassy.  We’ve intentionally made pleasurable efforts to bring some festivity and normalcy to this very different 2020 Christmas season. 

Is it working?  Perhaps a bit, on the surface.

Beneath the glitter and lights and preparing for gift giving, everyone everywhere is aware of the difference a Covid Christmas brings.  In light of the surging statistics and spiking curves, we all realize the desperate need to celebrate this Christmas on a much ‘littler’ scale.  Just for this year.  As one more challenge to close out 2020.

Decorating for Christmas sheds light, and breathes life and hope into dark places.  The whole world seems to be gasping desperately for some hope and peace in the midst of the pandemic crisis, maybe even some festive escape.  There is strong hope for reprieve with the upcoming vaccine.  Yet, we seem to be longing and hoping all the more for the deeper peace and joy of Christmas in this tumultuous year.

How can we see this 2020 Christmas season with true 20-20 vision?  It has certainly been an unprecedented year of new challenges and staggering loss, a year that has blurred our vision about most aspects of life.  In the midst of all these uncertainties, perhaps we need to more intentionally alter our perspective on how we view Christmas this year.  Instead of looking outward at the ongoing tensions, natural disasters, and Covid’s brutal attack on health and lives, let’s collectively dare to shift our gaze upward.  Let your eyes rest a while on the God who initiated Christmas, and the deep significance of His timing and plan in bringing it about.  He gave the world His very best by shining the great light of a Savior into deep shadows of human darkness, of breathing fresh Hope into despair.  He is doing the same still. 

It was the Father’s loving plan to send His Son to earth as an infant King to make a way of life for you and for me, and through Jesus, to usher in the Kingdom of God.  He is perfect love.  His ways are much higher than a global pandemic, divisive politics, and natural disasters.  Through all the uncertainties and suffering, He remains sovereign and constant in working His purposes.  The true meaning of Christmas continues on.

Fix your eyes a while on Jesus, the newborn king, lying in a manger.  Ponder how He came with great intentionality to reveal the face of God to mankind through His life and love, to demonstrate just how sacrificial His love for us is.  Set your heart on longing to know and understand the depths of His purpose in coming for you, for the world, and just how the hope He offers is so desperately needed in such a time as this.

Purposefully look at life through spiritual lenses and see the fingerprints of God around you, even within your little Christmas celebration.  Count your blessings and give thanks in the midst of the angst.  Delight in the little beauties around you.  See God’s goodness in the warmth of a fireplace, the glow of twinkle lights, the joy of sharing gifts with loved ones.  Feel Him in the crisp winter breeze, snowflakes lighting on your face, the heartfelt love of family and friends – even via video calls.  Taste Him in the blessing of good food and drink shared (even with a few), of the overflow of truth in your heart, of the hunger to see His purposes made more fully known.  And above all, sense Him and know Him as Immanuel, God with us, His presence within you and among you, as you celebrate the beauty of the gift of Jesus come to the world.

Yes, this season will forever be remembered around the globe as the Covid Christmas.  Though our troubles will not be fully out of sight, our deep longings to experience the true light and Hope of Christmas can keep our celebrations joyous even in their littleness and simplicity. 

Have yourself a Covid little Christmas, filled to overflowing with the greatest of all hopes, Jesus come in the flesh, the Hope of the world.