Christmas Reflection
Dazzling light displays, the smell of fresh baked cookies, the holiday sounds of carolers, and so much more make the perfect Christmas celebration. I love to decorate and put some Christmas music on while I decorate. Christmas movies are a must in my home, and we take part in all the holiday festivities that are around town and plentiful this time of year.
I am a true Christmas fanatic! I start planning for Christmas early and am one of those who shops on Black Friday. Yes, that’s me. I even celebrate on July 25th. Why you ask? Because it’s Christmas in July, of course!
Sometimes the Christmas season is not a happy one for those of us who have lost a loved one or going through a divorce. Even though these difficult times, we can still see the love of God through His son, Jesus. I like to reflect – not on the tough times, but on the times that I have seen the hand of God on my life. It’s a time of gratitude for the seasons in my life that I had no control. I’m reminded to celebrate the birth of Jesus because, without Him, there would be no Christmas at all.
God wants us to enjoy these times, but we have to do them with our focus on Christ.
What I love the most about the Christmas season is the peace that Jesus gives. He is the Prince of Peace that provides true love, which is the message of Christmas. I try very hard to keep this in mind all year long and not just in December. In the movie, A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens says “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Roy L. Smith writes it well. “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”
Christmas is a time of gift giving. For many, it becomes merely a time to exchange gifts – as many as possible. Unfortunately for some, it becomes a competition regarding how many gifts a person receives. The number of gifts to them equates to how great or how bad their Christmas was or wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, receiving and giving presents is a real blessing but I wonder how much is too much.
So let’s take the focus off ourselves, and place it back where it should be – on Jesus. This holiday season – complete with party invitations, packages to wrap, trees to decorate, and dozens of other fun activities demanding our attention, let’s remember why we celebrate Christmas. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we can be in a relationship with Him. Invest in that relationship. Prioritize time with Him.
Merry Christmas!
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born. Unto us, a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
