A Hard Candy Christmas

A Hard Candy Christmas

Christmas is advertised as an almost universally happy holiday.  But for many people it can underscore the lonliness or difficult challenges faced throughout the year.  I recently heard the song, “Hard Candy Christmas” sung by Dolly Parton and really listened to the words.  Her magical throaty soprano voiced the difficulties of today but also the possibilities for tomorrow. If you know Dolly’s  background you would think it was her personal story.

A “hard candy Christmas” refers to a time when families who were poor could only afford to give their children inexpensive hard candy as a Christmas gift.  The song is a message of hope and the ability to endure through the bittersweet times. We always have the power of choice.

I”l be fine and dandy

Lord it’s like a hard candy Christmas

I’m barely getting through tomorrow

But, still I won’t let sorrow bring me down.

 Jesus Had a Hard Candy Birthday

As I pondered the words I thought, Jesus had a hard candy (Christmas) birthday.  Joseph and Mary were ordinary poor folk from Nazareth and had to travel to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral home, for the great census.  It is about 65 miles away and would normally be a  4 to 5 day journey.  Many caravans would also be traveling but Joseph and Mary were not hurrying as she was already pregnant.  By the time they reached Bethlehem there was no room in any of the relatives homes. They were offered the stable – dirty and smelly – but at least it was semi -private and warm.

Strange men – Shepherds-  had come to see baby Jesus claiming they heard a message from angels that He was the Messiah.  We tend to envision a nice clean stable with gentle animals and cute shepherds with smiling faces.  But the hard reality was their lives  didn’t look very “royal” right now.

They were obedient to the Lord and to the Law so they stayed in Bethlehem until it was time to circumcize their baby. They had a healthy baby boy and were grateful. Afterwards they headed home where wagging tongues questioned their virtue.  Mary and Joseph had both been visited by an angel separately that reassured their doubts and fears.  Life was hard but they clung to faith in Gods promise.

Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas

Maybe this year has been very difficult and you aren’t feeling very merry and bright. We all know that Christmas isn’t about aquiring lots of material things but circumstances  can be overwhelming.  Financial problems, health issues, loss and lonliness are all applified at this time of year by the contrasts in advertising and illumination. The message of the angels to Elizabeth and Zachariah, Mary, Joseph  and the shepherds was do not fear for God is with you. The same message is for us too.  Jesus didn’t come into this world to bring tinsel and turkey.  He came to dwell with mankind and provide peace with God. He gives strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (which means God with us)

Isaiah 9:6–7   For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1:14    And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.