(See how many Christmas song references you can find.)

Christmas can be a confusing time — especially for kids. We keep hearing that Santa Claus is coming to town. He/they seem to be duplicates everywhere and we wonder if mommy is kissing them all. 

We encourage Rudolph the red nosed reindeer to run, run, Rudolph, and then grandma gets runover while walking down Santa Claus Lane. As a kid, all I really wanted was my two front teeth – well maybe a hippopotamus, but then I had to deck the halls and try to do it without fall la lalalaling down the chimney with old St. Nick. Meanwhile, while I was letting it snow — because what else can you do — and Frosty the Snowman was going for a sleigh ride together with eight tiny bobtailed reindeer.

We may not be in a winter wonderland, but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And that of course means it is the most wonderful time of the year…unless it is blue.

There are at least a hundred ways that Christmas can be a disappointment. No one is piling packages around your tree. Feasting and festivities — or munching figgy pudding alone. Family gatherings — but dear ones are gathering in heaven instead. There is no way to make that feel holly jolly wonderful.

But, all of those hard things can also serve as reminders of our need and our hunger for a Savior and the reasons we celebrate enduring gifts that never disappoint. Those hurts are big, bold road signs reminding us of the direction to the birthday party. 

We may not rock around the Christmas tree, but we can celebrate the rock that provides a firm foundation for life. And that Rock is far better than any Jingly Bell.

It is anything but a silent night when herald angels sing joy to the world. And we have heard them up on high, singing o’er the plainness of the ordinary little town of Bethlehem – and of our lives. 

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. But so much more importantly — the Lord has come. 

Whether we are talking of the first noel in a bleak midwinter or twelve days of your merry little Christmas by the Tannenbaum, whether kings come by threes on camel or by three sailing ships, or well-rested gentlemen by the dozen; it is a holy night when Immanuel comes. And O, come he does, more reliably than Santa, baby. 

Ho, ho! After all, Who wouldn’t rather go away to the manger than up on the housetop – even if there is the promise of some toys for good little girls and boys?

And O, when we do come, all faithfully, what child is this we find?

Actually it is no child at all, so let earth receive her ageless King who shall reign forever and ever. When He rules, there is truth and grace. So beat the drum and shout it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ was born, and that means that love with a capital L came and still comes down on Christmas. Joy to the world!

Jeff Fugitt is the pastor of Cassville United Methodist Church, located at 601 Gravel Street in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-2328 or [email protected].