Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light…” So begins the famous Christmas song first sung by Judy Garland in the movie, “Meet Me In St. Louis.”  And so we embark on the journey each year to create for ourselves a merry little Christmas—a time of sentimental and nostalgic feelings; a time in which we put on our merry little selves, smiles and all; a season in which we strive for a few days during which our “troubles will  be miles away.”  We spend a month or two trying to create for ourselves a merry little Christmas, yet when all is said and done many of us are left disappointed. Christmas doesn’t always turn out the way we hoped it would.  Our troubles are not miles away and life simply goes back to the way it was beforehand. 

Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" 

We all know that we want and need so much more than merely a merry little Christmas.  We need more than sentiment and nostalgia for a day or two. The fact is, no amount of decorations can take away the pain of a broken heart, remove the fear of an uncertain future, or bring healing and wholeness to our sinful past.  We need so much more than a merry little Christmas.

On the night the angels lit up the sky outside of Bethlehem, they didn’t say to the shepherds, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas.” Rather, they said, “Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:11 – NIV)  That is, the answer to all of your needs has arrived!  That for which you have longed is here!  Your Savior and Messiah has come; the One who will save you from your sin, heal your brokenness, and give you hope for your future has been born! 

Now, I’m not opposed to having a wonderful Christmas season.  I, like many of you, work hard to create a nice Christmas day for my family. Yes, I too want to have a merry little Christmas.  Yet, I know that Jesus came for so much more than just a day or even a season of merriment.  Jesus came to change our lives. Jesus came to change our future. He came to forgive us of our sin. He came to bring us into eternal life. Jesus came to bring to us the salvation of God! 

So, today I wish you a “Merry Christmas.” But I also wish you so much more. I pray that you would know throughout this season and most of all, throughout your life, the blessing of knowing Jesus Christ! He came to give to you so much more than a merry little Christmas.  He came to be your Savior!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!”

(Luke 2:14 – NIV)

Have a great day and a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Tim Harris