This is excellent from Andrew Byers, written on the Gospel Coalition blog. Yes, even the best day the year has to offer doesn’t ultimately fulfill. Enjoy your families this season and be reminded of the need for the Gospel when in the midst of all of the joy, the darkness of the human heart inevitably shines through. All the more reason to love this holiday. Have Yourselves a Merry Dark Christmas.
The darkness of Christmas, whether the first one or the one this 2011, serves as a reminder of why Jesus had to come . . . and why he will come again. The oppression of kings like Augustus and Herod demonstrate the need for a better King. And when the celebrated merriness of Christmas is interrupted by my children fighting over who gets to open the door with baby Jesus in the Advent calendar, they remind me why baby Jesus had to come. Family conflict over the Christmas feast reminds us that a new feast awaits at the second Advent of our Lord.
The darkness of this season is an occasion for worshipful gratitude and a catalyst for the eager expectation that Emmanuel will soon be with us face to face again . . . in light stronger than the brightest stars can muster.
