Today, I dread looking in a mirror with my glasses on. I see the opposite of what used to delight me. So I take my specs off and look in a mirror dimly, and I am spared from being spooked by a holocaust survivor.
Thankfully, I am not unique. Every human being sees in a mirror dimly. What we see isn’t what is.
Kids ask:
Why do other homes have beautiful Christmas trees and have festive Noche Buena?
Why do my friends get their wishes on Christmas simply by writing to Santa Claus?
Adults ask:
Why do evil people get elected to government positions and are addressed honorable?
Why do dishonest people become indecently rich and are never punished?
Kids and adults ask: Are they nicer to God than we are?
But history is also rich with martyrs, people who have done much for God and others and yet lived impoverished lives.
Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV), “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Christmas is for retrospection. As I look at myself in the mirror, I ponder “seeing in a mirror dimly” and realize that the things we see on this side are just hues, shades and shadows. It’s only someday, after we have crossed over to the beautiful, perfect side, will we have all the answers and see all too clearly.
Meanwhile, as the year ends with our celebration of Jesus’ birth, I want to personally thank Him for the grace of family. He gave me a kooky one—like a gift left under my Christmas tree, for free.
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