There is so much that goes into Christmas. I mean it is one of the biggest and most celebrated holidays around the world. There is the tree, and decorations, Christmas lights, Christmas movies, TV shows, Christmas food, of course I've never forgotten presents, wrapping the presents, unwrapping the presents, snow (this year :), for some Santa clause, the reindeer, asking Santa for what they want, the excitement on Christmas morning for kids when they get presents, the fun of new toys... the list could go on and on and on.
But I was reminded this past Sunday, that the question is not what is the gift that I want... the question is WHO is the gift that was given!
So often I get so distracted with the decorations, the tree (yes, that we put up before Thanksgiving!), buying presents for my niece and nephew. I remembered back to when I was little, thinking about Christmas' past. I knew in my head that Jesus was born, but it was so not important to me! It was the new toys that I was going to get, it was the lights, the tree, the cakes and sweets. My mind wandered to Wyatt and Raney... how can we make it different for them, how can we make their hearts know what Christmas is really about. Then my mind wandered to the kids that God will hopefully bless me with one day. How will I wrap their lil minds around the fact that Christmas is more than just the trimmings and trappings?
It is so easy to get lost, to be lulled to sleep, to be distracted and torn away from the ultimate reality. They start off as beautiful fun Christmas trimmings, and it all really does turn into Christmas trappings. Our hearts are not capable of remaining focused on the true and real reason for Christmas. We are always looking for something more, something dazzling, something that makes us feel good, something better than what we have, something that takes our minds and hearts off of our pain, or off of our sinful state. Trappings, distractions, illusions, and all for what?
I was thinking about Christmas today, and actually thought about the word. I knew Christ was in the word, but mas... my brilliant spanish teacher, Ms. Joanna Diekman, would tell me that mas means more in Spanish. So if you put those two together, then it rings sooooo true that we need more of Christ in Christmas.
I know my heart and mind needs to ponder more on Him, and realize what an amazing gift I have been given! A gift that is not only amazing and awesome, but one that cannot be out done! No matter what gift I ever get here on this earth, Jesus at Christmas, taking on human flesh, coming as a baby, living a human life as a man, going through everything that I go through, yet without sin, living with the purpose of dying on the cross for my sins... Jesus at Christmas is a better gift than ANY gift in this world! He cannot be outdone!
And He is not only better than any gift at Christmas, He is better than anything through out the year. Every good gift that my heart desires is nothing compared to Him! My joy, focus, thankful heart, worshipful posture should not only roll around during the Christmas season... He is better than anything, any day of the year. It doesn't get any better. There is nothing on this earth that God could give me that would be better than the gift that He gave in human flesh that night in Bethlehem! He gave the gift of salvation to me that night. He gave me the gift of redemption. He gave me the gift of reconciliation with Him. He gave me the gift of being adopted by my eldest brother's perfect life and path that He laid out before me. He gave me Himself, His love, and His forgiveness.
As my pastor concluded on Sunday, we can't have Jesus' birth without considering Jesus' death. I mean after all that is why He came. That is the very reason He was born. That is the very purpose He had when He laid His deity aside and took on flesh to rescue me from the dominion of darkness. Praise God for His birth, life, love, and death, all for me!
What amazing thoughts. Pastor Mike Campbell challenges me, through the words and work of the Holy Spirit, more than anyone. He always, always shows forth the Gospel, because no matter what story you take in the Bible, no matter what time of year, no matter whether Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, no matter what... Jesus and His saving good news is the best gift I could have been given!
O God, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on my soul, a sinner, this Christmas season. Forgive me for focusing on all the dazzling trimmings, which lead to trapping my heart in things that are worthless compared to You! O Jesus make your extravagant gift of love in the form of a baby the most awe striking thought and gift to me this Christmas. Focus my heart and attention on You and Your love, and Your salvation, so that everything else pales in comparison and grows dim in the glorious light of Your Face!
Thank You God for coming to save me!
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