By the time you read this article, I will be enjoying the sun and sand of Hawaii. This will be the second time in my life that I will be in a warm climate in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The first time touched me in a way that I did not anticipate. I had expected that a climate void of spruce trees and snow would prevent me from getting into the Christmas spirit. Not at all so—and that should hardly be surprising. After all, while the story of Santa may be intertwined with the cold and the snow, they have nothing to do with the real story of Christmas.

Jesus was born in a hot climate, where palm trees are common and snow is seen only on distant mountain peaks. He was also born at a time when the weather was warm enough for shepherds to be watching their flocks in the open fields.

Strolling the streets of a warm climate on a balmy advent evening brought an image of these things to mind. Seeing twinkling Christmas lights on the palm tree lined streets helped me imagine the shepherds staring up at the starry sky and journeying past the palm trees of Bethlehem in search of a baby’s voice somewhere in the open of that warm Christmas night.

I know that this may sound rather schmaltzy and romantic. But, when you get right down to it, Christmas is a season of tender romantic love. Christmas is about God’s love affair with us. Perhaps it seems odd to say it that way, but is it not so?

Christmas is a time when we remember our heavenly Father’s burning desire for us—a desire that caused Him to send His one and only Son into the trenches of this world so that we might be God’s beloved people for all eternity. Now that’s a love story worth telling!

And in the end, it does not matter where you are as you make preparations to celebrate this story. Though I am thousands of miles away from you right now, Christ Jesus, whose birth we will soon celebrate is just as close to everyone of us. With the sounds and sights of Christmas all around us, may this holy season be a time for reflection upon our heavenly Father’s love as heard in the angelic word and as seen in the Saviour’s birth.

Advent and Christmas greetings to all of you! Although the palm trees are great, I look forward to seeing you all for Christmas!

In His service,

Pastor Richard A. Frey