“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for
all to hear.” - Buddy (the Elf)
Christmas cheer is a special type of happiness. It’s
something that exists only during this season. It lives in holiday drinks at
Starbucks and holly, jolly Christmas songs. And as we gather together with
family and friends, eat amazing food, and exchange presents, Christmas cheer
fills up our homes.
Advent, however, is a season of waiting. It’s a time where we intentionally practice
waiting for Christ to come back and to bring light to the dark places of our
lives and our world. Christmas cheer and advent don’t always seem like the most
natural partners.
In the story of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), Jesus was
leaving Jericho when a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cried out to Him, “Jesus,
Son of David, have mercy on me.” Over and over again he yelled for mercy and
for healing. The crowds who were there, however, were annoyed by this blind
beggar (as many of us might be) and told him to be quiet. But Jesus responded
differently. He stopped and called Bartimaeus to come to Him. The crowd, which seconds before had tried to
silence Bartimaeus, now said, “Cheer up! On your feet. He is calling for you.” At
the news of Jesus’ invitation, Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, ran to Jesus,
and received the healing he so desperately wanted.
Cheer for Bartimaeus didn’t come in the form of peppermint
lattes or gingerbread men (although they are delicious). Cheer came because
Jesus was calling him. Jesus heard Bartimaeus’ cry for mercy and He invited him
to come. What better reason for cheer than to be called by Jesus?
This Christmas, there are a couple of specific areas in my
life and in the lives of my family and friends where I’m waiting for God to
intervene and calling out to Him for mercy. As I wait on Him, I know He is calling
me to himself. And it’s almost as if I can hear a crowd of people urging me on
saying, “Cheer up, Mary Katherine. On your feet! He is calling you.” Christ is calling me to trust Him more, to live in
hope that He is coming again, and to be set free from selfishness and pride in
my life. How is calling you this season?
I hope you will wait with me this Christmas (waiting is so
much easier when you do it with people you love). And I hope you will hear
Christ calling you, and that you experience the true Christmas cheer of knowing
Him.
