Why It Matters

For the remainder of December, my husband is home.

Although this is our fourth Christmas together, it is actually only our first full Christmas season to enjoy together. This is the earliest he has ever concluded tour season, and my heart is full with the thought and reality of his company. It is a precious gift, to look across the room on December 12th and see him drinking coffee out of his Christmas mug.

I am grateful to God, for this blessing.

There are a few presents already underneath the tree... little wrapped thoughts and thanks, ready for expressing. The names on each package are the names of those dearest in my life. My husband, my parents, my family. The items inside, although simple, are wrapped evidences of knowing a person well... It is tradition. It is special.

And I am grateful to God, for these blessings.

Sara Groves has a song titled "Why It Matters", and although it is not a Christmas song, I've had the words in my mind the past few days... I feel them to be incredibly appropriate for this season, and all that it means. The greater story written in the stars of a bleak mid-winter night, sung by angels and men alike... the ache of brokenness, the sigh of surrender, the life of redemption that all are invited to come and know.

In every family tradition, every silent night in front of the tree... it's the beauty of Christ reaching down to us, that makes it matter.

- - -

Sit with me and tell me once again
Of the story that's been told us... Of the power that will hold us...
Of the beauty, of the beauty... 
Why it matters.

Speak to me until I understand
Why our thinking, our creating... Why our efforts of narrating...
About the beauty, of the beauty...
Why it matters.

Like a statue in the park, of this war-torn town
And it's protest of the darkness, and the chaos all around...
With its beauty... how it matters.
How it matters.

Show me the love that never fails - 
The compassion, the attention, midst confusion and dissension...
Like small ramparts for the soul...
How it matters.

Like a single cup of water...
How it matters.

(lyrics by Sara Groves)

- - - 

Luke 2:8-14

"In the same region, there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to the them, 

'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' 

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'"

- - -

Since I was a little girl, I have been familiar with this story. My parents read it to my brother and me, even before we could understand. When we were children, we participated in Christmas plays at our church. We have home videos that capture various retellings of this story, in some way or another... my parents understood why it mattered.

I am grateful for those memories. I cherish them, and I am aware of how greatly enriched I have been by that heritage.

And now, I am grown. I have a husband and a home of my own... a job, a mortgage, responsibilities, relationships, and everything in between. New traditions are made with the speaking of vows, and at times the inertia of all the changes and all this growing up, brings me to my knees. The joy, the fun, the sorrows, the wrenching humility of it all... of how little it matters, and yet also how incredibly much. Its value rests fully in the person of Christ, who redeemed it.

There is no detail of my life, our world, the galaxies we have not discovered yet, that is hidden from His sight or His reach. Every joy we feel, every tear we cry, every emptying sorrow or bolstering hope we experience... every emotion, every conviction, every whisper of beauty or proclamation of justice... He is why it matters. The baby He was, the man He became, the blood He shed for us.

This is the story worth telling. That He came to earth, to save us, because He loved us that much.

And still does.

- - -

Sit with me and tell me once again
Of the story that's been told us... 
Of the power that will hold us...
Of the beauty, of the beauty... 
Why it matters.