Are you looking forward to seeing the man in red? With just days left before Christmas, many are in preparation for him. I recall staying up late on Christmas Eve to write notes from him to my kids, grab a bite or two of his cookies, and drink the jolly man’s milk. My kids were often too wound up to get to bed early. So I was up late doing the fine-tuning. Sometimes I had to call on my husband to put together the toys to look like they came straight from Santa’s workshop instead of a box. So much to hide and prep between midnight when finally, sleep and sugar plum fairies danced in my kid’s heads. Then one of them, our son, told the fairies the show was over around 3 or 4 a.m. The excitement within him was so unmatched and the fact he had already woke his younger sister, we rose back up before our eyelids settled in those wee morning hours. And wow, Santa had made his rounds at our house within just a few, short hours.
That’s why small children and their parents need to be “young” simultaneously. But fun times to be sure! In reflection, as life often is, I think it should have been more about the real birthday celebration. I hope it didn’t get overshadowed. But if I am honest, I fear sometimes it did. The commercial man in red still tries to steal the show every year and sadly often succeeds with even the best of us.
Today, on Christmas Eve 2021, Santa barely grazes my thoughts as I long for the man in red. Jolly Old St. Nick is not the one I hope for tonight. Even though my Christmas pillow warns, “Those who do not believe in Santa, get underwear,” that is not the threat it once might have been. I cannot be sure that the one I long for magically will appear on a designated date. This man’s red is not a shiny red suit, but his form creates scarlet shadows. As we think of him at Christmas, lying in a manger, in a stable, keeping company with the animal babies, we are oblivious to red destiny encompassing his very entry into the world.
When Christmas is as intended, we celebrate his birth. However, the man I want to see is the one from 33 years later. He is the one that sweated drops of red as he embraced but suffered his fate. His anguish was authentic in his human form. He is the man that had just washed the feet of the very ones that would betray him. The crimson tears marked only the beginning of the red he would wear. Mockings, floggings, beatings, a crown of thorns, spikes, a hammer, and a wooden cross created his red. Suffering hypovolemia by severe blood loss, he most likely would have endured all the former to the point of this. But not before being covered in crimson scars from losing much of the 10 pints that oozed from his human body.
And whether it’s December 25th or tomorrow, none can know. But I anticipate his arrival like never before. I’m confident he won’t require milk and cookies. Instead of costing me, all costs are on him. Hiding anything will be impossible, and our hearts should be prepared ahead. When he makes his rounds, he might wake us at 3 a.m., or it could be mid-day or late in the night. None know. But I hope that I am as excited as that young child that cannot sleep on Christmas Eve because of the pure anticipation and joy of what he brings. The gift like none other, authentic peace on earth. Emmanuel, Lord, Son of God, Jesus is the man in red I long to see this year more than ever before!
Hoping you find a place in my space. ♥