Christmas is right around the corner. So often we perfectly paint a picture of it
in our heads that starts out on the canvas something like this:
Everyone sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace with family
gathered from near and far, perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, smiles,
laughter, celebrations of the year that is passing and conversations of how
wonderful the next year will be, family photos with everyone smiling and even
the dogs facing the front with pleasant canine expressions on their faces, snow
on the ground, gingerbread houses that stand strong throughout the night, and
church services together with candlelight that lights up little ones faces
while everyone sings “Oh, Holy Night.”
I wish that I could type and cause a really dramatic sound
effect to come through in my writing, but that is impossible, so I will just do
this……………………………………
Christmas is right around the corner. Daughter is driving. Dad needs her car, so I have all of the kids
again with me on the way to town. We
struggle getting ready for school, everyone fusses and fights. Mom ends up crying on the way to town and
lecturing everyone for the 10 minute drive, pleading for obedience and
kindness. Presents are stashed around
the house in so many places that it will be a true Christmas miracle for them
to appear on the 25th, some are even being stored in an old Dodge
pick-up. I hope it is locked! The perfect Hallmark comes on, but everyone
scatters to do their own thing. Only one
gingerbread house made it through the night, the Elf on the Shelf forgot to
move again, and I better balance my checkbook!
Discouraged, I open Isaiah 9 and read “For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I know with all of my heart and soul that
that I better be careful not to miss the meaning of Christmas this year.
Over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born! Luke 2 says that Jesus was placed in a manger
because there was no room for Him at the inn.
The angel said “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
you; he is Christ the Lord.”
The story seems so perfect!
The story also seems so old and distant at times. It happened over 2000 years ago.
The Bible and the story of the birth of Christ is more than
just a meaningful story in history. It is
a meaningful story now. It is not just a
wonderful story of the past. It is a true story of the present and of the
future. I dare not live a day without
Jesus!
This Christmas, do not only marvel at the birth of Christ
that happened so many years ago, imagining Him as a baby in the manger. Celebrate what that story means for you now
in 2015. Your present circumstances have
everything to do with the birth of Jesus.
Your future has everything to do with the birth of Jesus.
The reality of it all is that your tree may be perfect, your
church may be thriving this holiday season, and you may adore your gifts, but
if your relationship with Jesus is not first is your life, nothing else
matters.
He was born, lived, and died for you. That is the real gift of the season.
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