Christmas is almost here. Only a few days left, and everyone is making the final arrangements for family get togethers. Most of the presents have been purchased, wrapped and under the tree. The outdoor Christmas decorations are all lit up. Christmas parties are over, and the stress levels are coming down.
Do you ever wonder why we do this to ourselves every year? It seems to all start just after the fourth of July. We start seeing subtle hints of Christmas coming in retail stores. In September we see the summer clothing gone and fall and winter clothes coming out. We hear of how many days to Christmas! I agree, Christmas is the most exciting season of the year. But most times we as humans can make it the most stressful time of the year. We start the to do list and it grows and grows.
Where will we get the money for Christmas. When will we have the time to get it all done? The tree, the shopping, the cleaning, the decorating, and those dreaded outdoor tangled up lights! They always work when we plug them in on the ground. However, once they are all up and we announce the “plugging in ceremony,” why do one or two strands not work? It’s cold, the wind is blowing, and it is dark now. Where’s my ladder?
We seem to always get caught up in the rush. “Twenty-three days till Christmas!” “Sixteen days till Christmas!” “Nine days till Christmas!” It almost sounds like a countdown to a space launch. (And almost as complicated). Yet, we do this to ourselves every Christmas. Why? Who started this anyway?
I promise you it was never God’s intension for the birth of our Savior to cause stress and gift buying frenzies. Quite the opposite, in fact.
A sacrifice was needed to cleanse the sins of mankind. Blood had to be shed. It had to be the only son of God, Jesus. Mary, a young virgin girl, was chosen to carry and give birth to Jesus. Joseph was chosen to be her husband and to protect them both. A simple humble birth in a cold, smelly stable on a star lit night. Animals all around and nothing sterilized. No doctors, just a husband to help Mary bring our Savior into the world.
I sometimes wonder if the wise men had not brought the gifts to Jesus and if St. Nicholas had not been so kind to others, maybe gift giving would never have been a part of Christmas? Humm. Don’t get me wrong, I like giving gifts and who doesn’t like getting a gift? It does complicate Christmas though don’t you agree? It is the birthday of Jesus we are celebrating. Shouldn’t the gifts go to Him? Shouldn’t our focus be on Him? Jesus would want the gifts to go to others, helping others, serving others, loving your neighbor. Who is our neighbor anyway? Anyone on earth other that ourselves!
So as the countdown to Christmas continues, try to find a person or family to bless on behalf of Jesus. Be His hands and feet to them. Let them know that your gift of time or food or money is from the baby Jesus. That one birth changed the history of the world. Jesus continues to change lives every day. His gift of Salvation is offered to all who will listen and accept it. No amount of money can buy it, no one can repay Him for it. It is His gift to us. It cost Him his earthly life to make it available to all. He was punished and killed for our sins.
You know the rest of the story, the Easter story. Make Christmas about Jesus. Make sure you read the story on Christmas morning. It is His birth, His life, and His love for us that we need to focus on.
Matthew 1:21 (NKJV) “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Merry Christmas everyone. May God bless your lives and keep you safe. Do your best to attend a Christmas candlelight service at a church of your choice. You will love it.
Jim Everett
