Always Winter, Never Christmas
Recovery and Christmas Eve
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 (never Christmas).
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 a mist — and it doesn’t last.
If not reversed, addictions lead to shorter sadder lives.
And there are lots of addictions.
Many we discount and just call bad habits — but deep down we wish to break them and find we, so far, can’t.
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 if we will open our heart’s door and welcome God in. (May you find him now).
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.
Here’s the question.
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.
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.