All the festivities has slowed to a snail’s pace. The stockings have been emptied and the presents are being used. All that remains of the Christmas feast is a refrigerator filled with leftovers and Christmas cookies galore. So, we hunker down with those cookies and face the rest of winter with eyes slightly filled with tears, joy, some sadness and a whole bucket list of dreams for next Christmas. This is the final chapter of the journey – or is it? In the end, we will all face death. It’s that one thing we can’t escape. Terms like, “the last hurrah,”
“the final journey,” “kicking the bucket,” all come to mind as we look ahead to our final days. We don’t like to talk about it much, but we will all meet that so-called grim reaper someday.

Is this what Christmas means to us? In Scrooge’s journey, we see a beleaguered, stingy, old man finally facing the reality of Christmas. He discovers the joy of knowing that he has a second chance – a chance for redemption.  When we take our last inhalation and succumb to death’s boney grip it might send shivers up and down our spine.   When we think about death, it can mean tears, wondering what lies ahead, what we’re leaving behind and the tug of heartstrings as loved ones mourn their loss. We cling tightly to life, because it’s all we know right now. The thought of a perfect world seems nothing more than a dream.

The chance for redemption is still available to every living soul. Our souls were purchased at a great price. God’s plans don’t always make sense to us in the here and now, but we will see His plan fulfilled when we meet Him in paradise. A little baby. A virgin birth. A life of poverty. What seemed a senseless, torturous death, would result in the salvation of the entire world. None of it made sense, but God had a plan. Just like He continues to guide us through this veil of tears. Heaven is waiting. Death has no sting. Christmas has a gift for each one of us. A Savior was born and continues to live. He has paid the price that only He was capable of doing. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

May that wonderful gift of eternal life give you pause to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. God loves us so much that He paid the ultimate price to win us back.