“Bah-Humbug”

That phrase is more commonly used at Christmas because of the curmudgeon Mr. Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s story, “A Christmas Carol.”  I have to confess; I was a closet curmudgeon for a few years about all Holidays.  Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter all just seemed too religious and or commercialized.  “Read this, say that, buy a card, sing a song, blah, blah, blah.”  I’m over it.  I can really see how this annual rhythm is helpful to attentive hearts.  During Advent, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the historical reality that God took on flesh and dwelled with us.  At Christmas we celebrate as the angels did.  God is with us!  During Lent we set some things aside so we can think about something better; namely that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God that came to take away the sin of the world.  With prepared hearts, we gather reverently on Good Friday to remember that Jesus went to the cross for our sins—our sins!  Not His.  He was forsaken that we might be brought in.  We wait.  Easter Sunday morning we gather in bright clothes and with new hope—Jesus Christ is alive, risen from the dead, victorious over the grave and we are sure to join Him and see Him as He is!  Sing.  Celebrate.  Eat.  Join the spring-time rhythm of new life not only in the gardens and fields but in our hearts.  So, no bah-humbug for me this year.  Jesus has come and nothing can separate us from His love!  Let that warm your heart to praise, to faith, to acts of service and to love.