This time last year we were getting the food bought, but not this year. Last year we were organising gifts, but not this year. Last year we were heading to carol services, but not this year. Last year we were meeting with friends, but not this year. Last year we were sharing mulled wine, but not this year. Last year we were seeing family, but not this year. Last year we were heading to work dos, but not this year. Last year we were singing in churches, but not this year. Last year we were booking times to see the in-laws, but not this year. Last year we were playing with children, but not this year. Last year we were heading to winter wonderland, but not this year. Last year we were watching our children in their nativity, but not this year. Last year we were giving hugs, but not this year. Last year we had never heard of Covid-19 but this year is different.
This year we have to be on our own households, this year we have to isolate, this year we have to wear masks, this year we have to self distance, this year we have to sanitise everything, this year we have to watch church online, this year we have to hum to carols, this year we have to space out, this year we have to wash our hands for at least 20 seconds, this year we have to stay inside, this year we may have lost jobs, this year we have to shield the vulnerable, this year we have to swap gifts days in advance, this year we have to think of those people on their own. This year is different from any other year.
This year we have to be more careful than any other and it will be harder, it will be hard not to see family, it will be hard not to sing carols, it will be hard not to be with grandparents, it will be hard to be alone, it will be hard not to be with loved ones, it will be hard not to go out, it will be hard being in a small bubble, it will be hard not watching our children in their nativity. This year will be hard and there is no way around it but next year will be better. Next year we can look forward to being with family and friends, to being at carol services, to having dinner together. Next year will be different again but I do hope that we do not have to go through this again. This may be the year when we look and are thankful for the things around us and not to take for granted all the things we have.
No matter who you are, where you have been or what age you are this year has been tough, it has been tough for those people who are on their own, those people who are in a family, those people who have waited to get married, those couples who have not been able to see each other and those people who haven’t been able to get out their house for weeks at a time. It has been tough and although today is Christmas and today is meant to be a time of celebration, it is going to feel different, it is going to feel strange, it will feel that loved ones are missing but we need to be thankful and grateful for this day, for what this day means and what this day is all about.
As much as we want it to be, today is not all about the food, the presents and the family, although that is a bonus but today is about a little baby that was born thousands of years ago, it was about a baby that was born to a virgin, it was about a baby that was born in a manager, it was about a boy that would grow up to save the sins of this world, it was about a mother who would see her child killed for being God, it was about a baby who was fully God and fully man. This year is different and we cannot change that but what we can change is our outlook on life and know that Jesus was the One that came as a baby today for both you and me. He came so that we can be saved, He came so that we can have an eternal family, He came so that we do not have to fear death but we are able to live forever.
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