When Christmas Remembered Who It Was

The first Christmas was never about the hustle and bustle of decorating tress or presents.

Christmas long ago was about a reverent night in a strange land where a young family began. On that starlet night in a humble setting where animals breathed warmth. Unnoticed by kings, ignored by empires and yet angels carried the wonderful news. Christmas was once luminous, revealed, and the word became flesh to be among us.

Shepherds were the first ones there because they were listening arriving with nothing but leaving forever changed.

back then long ago Christmas reminds us that love simply arrives, it does not shout to be known.

This was Christmas past not polished, not profitable, but holy.

A Long Road From Manager To Man

A man named Nicholas lived in a world far from Bethlehem. He was a bishop, servant, giver in secret. Nicholas did not wear red though he clothed the poor with dignity. He did not fly though the sky, though he carried generosity wherever he walked.

St. Nicholas gave not to be seen. As compassion compelled him. His kindness became legend and this legend became tradition.

From St. Nicholas to St. Nick, to Kris Kringle, to Santa Claus. Each one a reflection of believe in goodness without cost and gifts freely given expecting nothing in return.

Bright, Busy, and Often Forgotten is Christmas of Today

Today Christmas arrives loudly it rushes in with deadlines, discounts, and the pressure to perform joy, instead of receive it.
We decorate our homes, we count gifts, we tell children to believe in magic. all to often we forget the stable, overlook grace, and forget the miracle began at all, when in truth the heart of Christmas has never changed only our attention has.

The Nativity Tells Us God Came Near

St. Nicholas shows us love movers outward and Christmas today is asking the same question it always has:
Will We Make Room?

This is a gentle reminder that Christmas does not demand perfection it only asks remembrance. Remember the Child in the manager, remember the quiet giver in the night, remember that love is still the point.

Therefore if Christmas feels thinner and hurried it might just be waiting to be welcomed home again.

This season may we unwrap more than presents, may we unwrap presence, may we rediscover the sacred beneath the sparkle and let Christmas be what it has always been.
A holy interruption, a gift of light, a story still being told from past to present , from heaven to heart.