Bah Humbug!
That expression is well-known as the catchphrase of miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel, “A Christmas Carol.” Scrooge, who thinks Christmas is an enormous deception, retorts, “Bah! Humbug!” to anyone who dares to wish him a merry Christmas!
It’s December 1st when we get into the pondering and reflecting mode of Advent. AND it’s when we get our holly-jolly-selves on! We are cheerful, happy, all caught up in our blessing moods!
“Bah humbug!” is what others say because they are in the middle of bailing water out of their boat! They are holding their breath that one more thing doesn’t capsize their boat and they go under. So they’re not so invested in all this “Joy to the World” activity.
Maybe it’s you I’m talking about. Maybe you are one who dreads this time of the year as it holds so many memories past and you’re so very lonely. Or it is the season that reminds you that you don’t have very much or nothing at all to buy gifts for others. Maybe you are a giver at heart, but it breaks your heart that you can’t give.
I know not everyone is able to get into the “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” — singing, dancing, and ringing jingle bells or dreaming of a white Christmas. Your hope has been lost from the heaviness of the weight you are carrying. I know that because I know what those weights look and feel like. I’ve been there. Even as I type this blog today, I’m thinking of some dear family members and friends who are carrying, what seem to be, enormous weights of hopelessness.
Here comes the lessons we learn again from Paul the Apostle who had the right to tell us what gratitude and hope looks like because he sure knew heavy weights. He said: “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Hope does not disappoint us, because God poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.” Romans 5:2-5
We can be thankful, even in hardship, because our future is based on God’s love, not on our present situation. We may experience temporary hardships, but they all come TO PASS. The phrase “it came to pass” occurs again and again in the Old Testament. “It came to pass” describes events in history and even our own experiences. “It came to pass” reminds us that these tough times will be over. They come, but they “come to pass.”
I know this scripture is true – I lived it. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Some of those nights were long, long nights, but they came to pass, and they did pass. Wounds heal. Heartbreak mends. Tears cease. A new day dawns. A new sunrise dispels the darkness. Despair loses its hold. Grief is replaced with hope. It came to pass.
Being positive and faith-filled takes discipline. Can I hear a big “AMEN”? We can do this. Gratitude is in us. May we not waste this season with worry. May we not live in regret. May we NOT miss out on THIS day that God made with you and me in mind. Because this day – came to pass. We’ll never get this day back. And this Advent and Christmas will never come again.
This is our opportunity to look up with hope and expectation that something good is about to happen. As we embrace the journey of a young, courageous girl and a supportive, noble man to the town of Bethlehem, may we too, take a journey of faith and hope that “Joy to the World” and joy to you and me dispels the darkness around us and the brightness of the Star of Bethlehem brightens our own little world with hope and joy.
Isn’t it worth the effort to take the journey that might change everything?
“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24