When Little Lucy Pevensie first comes into Narnia and meets Tumnus the Faun she learns that Narnia is in a state of being always in winter but never Christmas.
“Always winter” also describes the life of the active addict. All dependencies on substances and/or behaviors result in first killing the personality. Addicts are not the same as the people they once were. Their personalities are less authentic, natural, carefree, and real. Sure, early on they might seem “high on life,” but it’s all deception — and it doesn’t last. If not reversed, addictions lead to shorter sadder lives.
What’s so significant about the day before Christmas in the life of the active addict?
Sadly, the answer is nothing. It’s just another day consumed in the pursuit of the next fix.
Here is what I think they are missing. The day before Christmas and the day before Easter have this in common — they are the last days of waiting. Something good and new is about to arrive.
This sets up what I think is a reasonable personality test question. I’m calling it The Christmas Eve Test. It can help determine whether someone’s personality is operating in an open healthy way or whether it is encumbered by pain and worry, all connected with addictions of one kind or another. Of course it would not work for those where Christmas has never been an important holiday. Should this be the case then substitute the most important holiday you celebrated while growing up.
Is the thought of Christmas coming still special or exciting to you? Does it still fill you with hope?
Untreated, unconfessed, and therefore un-owned addictions breed despair. But it’s the God of Christmas who loves to bring about new beginnings for those ready to ask for help. Here is a great psalm on the same topic.
God Heals the Brokenhearted
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules.
Praise the LORD!
Psalms 147 (ESV)
Christmas is always about light in the darkness. It is about new birth, about God coming into the world historically, in general ways, and specifically into every poor soul’s cold heart who, for whatever reason, has lost the joy.
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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.