“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

I am sure Mary never forgot the angels, the shepherds, the star, or the wise men. These were things that I am sure were burned into her memory. How is your memory doing these days? It appears to me that people forget more things than they used to. So many people miss appointments now that some places even charge a fee for no-shows. Memory loss was once relegated to those with dementia or just growing old, but now I know many young people who seem to be lost in a fog.

As I write this article, it is November 13th. This may be a special day for you. But I don’t remember many November 13ths in my life. I don’t even recall many July 4ths. I don’t remember most of my own birthdays, or Thanksgivings or Easters, for that matter. But I remember Christmas. I may not remember each one of them in the correct order. I may not be able to recall all the specific events, but I remember Christmas—even the ones from over 70 years ago.

What is your favorite Christmas memory? If you had the opportunity to share, what might you recall? Would it be your family gathered around the Christmas tree or the laughter and fellowship of visiting family and friends? Would it be a special kiss under the mistletoe or struggling to assemble a toy? Would it be visiting with relatives or perhaps even experiencing a hardship or illness?

What is it about Christmas memories that seems to make them last longer? Is it just me, or do you have the same experience? Is there some special power in Christmas memories? When I smell Christmas trees, for example, I remember the live trees we always had at home when I was a child. I visited my granddad’s house hundreds of times growing up, but it is the Christmases I usually remember. I remember Grandma’s decorations. I remember the wreath they hung on the door. I remember the aroma coming from the kitchen. I remember her Christmas fruitcake. What is this about Christmas memories?

Another cool thing about Christmas memories is that, even in the middle of July, if you are having a bad day, you can pull one out, and it can lighten your load. Christmas memories can even recenter your life and help you recall who you really are.

Isn’t that what happened to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s classic story? As the story begins, it would be hard to imagine a more miserly and miserable man than Ebenezer Scrooge, who, among other things, hated Christmas, regarding it as nothing but a “humbug.” But Scrooge was transformed. On Christmas morning after his metamorphosis, he confessed to being “as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy.” Yet, the new Scrooge wasn’t only delighted to say “Merry Christmas” to his neighbors rather than “Bah! Humbug”, he actually wanted to spend time with the family he had previously spurned. Relationships mattered to him more than they had in decades. On top of that, Scrooge had come to care deeply about others, expressing his concern with generosity toward people in poverty, a newfound fairness as a boss, and a passionate personal investment in Tiny Tim’s life.

What brought about such a miraculous change in Scrooge? Was it not, in part, the memories of Christmas past? Scrooge became filled with Christmas memories from his pre-humbug life as he also assessed his post-humbug future. Scrooge was transported back to the place where he was a lad in boarding school. When Scrooge was reminded of his boyhood self, left alone at Christmas in his dismal school, Scrooge sobbed with newfound emotion. He then recalled the Christmas parties that old Fezziwig would give to his employees and friends. Suddenly, the cold-hearted Scrooge became strangely warmed, softened by the power of his memories. By the end of the first ghostly visit, Scrooge was well on his way to becoming a new man.

I know this was only a story, it was make-believe, and there are some elements in the story that, as a Christian, you may not appreciate. Still, there is a good reason to believe that powerful Christmas memories can actually make a positive difference in our lives, too. Jump-starting our fondest memories could be a good thing. Positive Christmas memories can enrich your life today. They can help you to live in the present while facing the future with greater delight and a depper understanding. Often, reflecting on the past enables you to experience a more profound sense of who you are and why you are alive.

How should we think about this from a Christian perspective? Here are four brief implications.

First, if we believe that everything that has happened in your life has been allowed by God and that He can use it for ultimate good, then recalling those memories would be a good thing. God wants us to enjoy the good gifts He has given us throughout our lives. God wants you to remember that He has made a long-term investment in your life.

Second, memories can be a pathway to gratitude. As you allow your mind to enjoy pleasant memories, you can pause to thank God for them, and for the people and events they have brought to mind. There is much in Scripture that encourages us to remember the past. Usually, these are memories of what God has done in the past—events that might still be influencing our present. These memories help us always to remember God’s never-ending love and faithfulness in our own lives.

Third, though memories can also bring to mind painful episodes from our past, looking back, we may very well see God’s presence even in those hard times. We might now see how God used those struggles to help us grow to be more like Jesus.

Fourth, research suggests that nostalgia might motivate you to be more understanding and tolerant of others. A little more empathy for others can go a long way to promoting peace on earth. Plus, empathy for those who are suffering might spur you on to greater generosity, as happened with Ebenezer Scrooge.

Perhaps we should all attempt to create a special Christmas memory this year. It could be a fresh reminder of what Christmas is really all about – the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the joy of celebrating His birth. Think about it. It doesn’t require a trip to the store, an online purchase, or a large sum of money to make Christmas memories that will last. It often just needs one small investment, a little bit of time.

You see, God designed us for relationships. In other words, He never intended for us to be alone. More importantly, He wants us to remember the gifts He has given us, which are right in front of us every single day. In addition to the gift of His Son, He gave us the gift of our loved ones, our family and friends, and the memories that naturally followed. And now, for me, the memories of more than half a century of Christmases seem to be as fresh as they were the day they were born. These are not tattered, faded black-and-white photographs, but vivid, clear memories of the priceless gift of the abundant life God has bestowed upon me.

Ebenezer Scrooge said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” The only real way you can do that is if we retain in our hearts hundreds of Christmas memories. Each one is as unique as a snowflake.

This Christmas, I will hold dear all my memories of the past, yet embrace the excitement and joy of the present, especially when looking into the eyes of my grandchildren and great grandchildren, because I am sure that, as each of them anticipates the future, they will also be building memories. And maybe, I might be in some of those memories. That would be nice, because Christmas memories seem to last the longest.

Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry nearly fifty years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries and Christian Bible College.