Submitted by Pastor Bill Hargis, Rock Port and Watson United Methodist Churches

Every year at this time, I feel a sense of awe and wonder. Advent is the season of hope, peace, joy, and love. It really is an amazing time. We are celebrating the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, while at the same time, we are preparing ourselves for His second coming as our King. We greet each other with smiles and with Christmas greetings. We are a little more tolerant and patient with each other (Black Friday being the exception). We are more generous in our giving. We tend to go out of our way to help each other. Why?

This simple, three-letter word has caused generations of parents to pull their hair out. Because of this little word, I have found myself pondering and reflecting this week. Why do we tend to behave differently at this time of year? If human beings are hard wired, as some will say to instinctively fuss and argue, why suddenly, is all that put on hold this time of year? I believe the answer is Advent!

In 2020, a Pew research study showed 64% of Americans identify as Christians. Our society, as a rule has accepted Christmas as the celebration of the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. I think it would be hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard Linus, from Peanuts, recite the Christmas story from the book of Luke. Because Jesus Christ is openly celebrated during this time of year, I think it is easier for God’s Holy Spirit to get through all those world-hardened hearts.

Even though this time of year is hectic and busy, we hear the Christmas carols, we see the nativity scenes and we give and receive encouragement through Christmas cards. We see a small glimmer of hope! We feel this urge or desire to know more about this promised hope, and peace, and joy, and love. I believe at this time of year, as a society, our hearts and minds are better tuned to hear and feel God’s Holy Spirit working in and through us. God’s grace and mercy folks, plain and simple. Why?

Because from the moment we are born to that split second we take our last breath, God wants a personal, intimate relationship with each one of us. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. And the word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, full of grace and truth. God loves us; He proved that by sending our hope, our peace, our joy, and His love to us in the form of a baby, born in a dirty manger in Bethlehem.

So, I have given you my thoughts about why. Now, how do we keep this feeling of Advent alive for the whole year? By trusting in Jesus Christ, by hanging onto Him tightly and asking Him to hold on to us just as tightly. By encouraging, welcoming, and sharing Jesus Christ with the world. By loving each other, the way Jesus loves us. It may not hurt to listen to Linus again or better yet, Luke chapter 2, verses 1-14. That’s the why, the reason and the how folks! Merry Christmas!