Nostalgia Reigns Supreme
Over the course of the last week I have seen more and more Christmas lights going up around town. Icicle lights, LED lights, inflatable Santa Claus’ everywhere. It reminded me of the lights I had on my house when I was growing up. We had the basic light strand with screw in bulbs that had a point at the end of them. My grandma had them too.
As I get older and older, the more I am partial to those lights. It is because Christmas, more than any other time of year, does something to all of us as nostalgia somehow reigns supreme.
We listen to Bing Crosby, bring out decorations that our grandparents had at their houses, and for some reason continue to drink eggnog and eat fruitcake. Nostalgia is powerful and it can be incredibly helpful in a season that often times forces us into hurry and busyness.
For the Christian, I think it is wildly important to remember our past. Not for the sake of reliving our glory days, but to remember who we were before Jesus came into our lives. As we wrapped up the book of Titus last weekend the Apostle Paul gives an encouragement to his mentee, Titus, about remembering who he was before he came to faith in order to approach those who don’t yet know Jesus with grace and love.
It is also helpful to remember what God has done. The Bible says in Psalm 77:11, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”
This is one of the reasons that I believe Christmas for the believer is such a powerful time. It isn’t just about families getting together and putting on that one sweater you wear every year. It is about the nostalgia of celebrating Christmas as you remember the deeds of the Lord. What He has done and will continue to do in your life. So in the coming weeks, do what it is you do to get into your Christmas feelings, but as you partake in that magical nostalgia, remember to reflect on what God has done in your life as you celebrate Him coming into the world.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Peter
P.S. Christmas Eve is coming, have you seen what we are up to yet? Click here to find out.