Its the most weirdiful time of the year!

To me, Christmas always seems kind of weird. There's so much contrast in what people think and feel about Christmas. You have the people who hate this time of year because of its commercialism, or the loneliness they feel when they are surrounded by so much happiness and they themselves are so broken. You have the people who go all out and put up lights on their houses and host ugly Christmas sweater parties and get presents for anyone and everyone they know. There are old traditions and new trends that pop up every year. I love Christmas time, but I also hate it at times.

This year is especially filled with contrast as I begin to understand what it means to be a married man. I got married on December 3rd, a mere 22 days before Christmas. My wife and I went on our honeymoon, and then we moved her from Illinois to Pennsylvania, where I had moved 2 months earlier. We arrived on December 14th. I guess with the hustle and bustle of the wedding I kind of forgot that Christmas was coming. It seems almost inhuman to forget such a thing. But I think because of that it has been easier for me to get caught up in the hubbub of Christmas.

We as Christians often feel bitter over the commercialization of Christmas, but we are guilty of it in a different form. We are so caught up in the Christmas programs and caroling and not getting caught up in Christmas that we often forget what Christmas is all about:

A rider on a white horse with eyes of fire and a sword in his mouth.

Wait, what? Hear me out.

When I took my last semester of Greek my professor gave us a devotional one morning before glass started. We read the Christmas story according to John. Some of you may be saying to yourselves that there is no Christmas story in the Gospel of John. That is correct, but John also wrote other books in the Bible, including Revelation. In Rev. 12 John shares a vision of a woman giving birth to a son... a son who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. John's vision continues, and in chapter 19 we see heaven standing open with a rider on a white horse. This is one frightening rider, because his eyes are like fire and he has a sword coming out of his mouth. His robe is dipped in blood and he has a tattoo on his thigh that says King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is a powerful conqueror. The thing we should notice is that John says that with his sword he will strike down the nations and "rule them with an iron scepter."

I believe that Jesus was the baby that was born in chapter 12. To me this serves as an important reminder at Christmas time. It's great to get caught up in the story of the little 6 lbs. 7 ounce baby Jesus, but we also need to remember that he didn't stay in the manger.

He grew. He performed miracles. He healed the sick and dying. He died on the cross and was raised to life and put sin to death, and that is something he will do once and for all when he comes back on his white horse.

This Christmas, as you celebrate with family and friends the birth of our savior, may you also celebrate the fact that God came down and lived among us. He knows our struggles, and he knows our joys. Celebrate that, even though its Christmas time, Easter is also coming, a time to celebrate the Lord's resurrection. And may you also celebrate the fact that Jesus is coming again, as a conqueror and a King.

Merry Christmas!