The Christmas I Lost My Mind

Growing up, my brother and I played on an old Atari. If you’ve never played one, imagine a Nintendo… but worse. Way worse. But I dreamed about getting a Sega Genesis with Sonic the Hedgehog.
 
We weren’t poor, but we were a pastor’s family and money was tight. Gifts were never guaranteed. So, just because I asked for the Sega Genesis didn’t mean it was going to show up under the tree.
 
Christmas morning came. We were tearing through the presents, and we got some really good gifts, but no Genesis. Except there was one last box. A console-sized box. But I was eight, and not exactly the brightest Christmas light on the tree. I didn’t catch on.
 
Then I tore a piece of the wrapping paper… And I saw it. The glorious Sega Genesis logo!
If you’ve ever seen the early internet meme video of the “N64 Kid,” that was me, only five years earlier. I screamed, “IT’S A SEGA!” I started doing flips, kicking my feet in the air, rolling like a Pentecostal after a Red Bull, and manically laughing all over the living room (There’s hilarious video evidence of the whole thing somewhere).
 
That was pure childhood joy. The kind you don’t forget. And I hope you’ve had a moment like that, where a gift filled you with a joy of joys.

But sometimes joy is hard to come by at Christmas. It’s a time of the year that can genuinely be difficult for a lot of people. For many it’s filled with stress, grief, and memories you wish you could forget.
 
Wherever you are on the emotional spectrum, here’s what I want you to know: Christmas can be a time of great joy. Not because of the gifts we get or give. Not because of nostalgia or good memories. It can be full of joy because of the gift God gave.
 
Tomorrow morning we’re going to see how the arrival of Jesus brings a joy of joys deeper, steadier, and more life-changing than anything under a Christmas tree… even a Sega Genesis. I pray you’ll join us for our third week of Advent worship.