And she will give birth to a son…
Christmas is next week!
The stores are packed with customers. Online sales are booming. Beautiful decorations are everywhere.
Have you finished your shopping?
Many of us are stressed. I’M NOT READY YET!
But, December 25 is coming–ready or not!
Do you ever wonder, “What is Christmas all about?”
It probably depends on who you ask and when you ask them. Children might answer, “Presents!”
Merchants may view the Christmas season as their best source of income.
School children (and teachers) look forward to a long break from school. (Parents may not!)
But, for some, Christmas isn’t merry. Many folks dread the coming holiday. They dislike crowds, Christmas music, worrying over what presents to buy, company visiting or the loneliness of an empty house.
So…is Christmas a season of joy and family or only a commercial event?
What IS Christmas all about?
For Christians, this season is a time of joyous celebration. During Advent we anticipate the birth of our Lord.
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.'” John 1:23
We think of Mary as she prepared for the birth of her son…
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:31
After Advent comes the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Can we find time this year to remember the “reason for the season”?
It’s a challenge! If you’re like me, you’re nearly overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life and duties just seem to quadruple during December. We just finished our Christmas dinner theater performances at our church. In last week’s blog I bemoaned two snowed out performances and what I perceived to be a lot of wasted work. Since November, my time has been consumed by preparation–play practice, planning the meals, gathering helpers and revamping plans when emergencies occur. We had one make-up performance last night. WHEW! I’m so glad it’s over!
But, one thing our play does is remind me of what we’re celebrating. THAT is not wasted work! Many hands and feet came together to provide a meal and put on a play that honors the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Those who came ate a bounteous meal, had fellowship together, laughed and sang as we praised and worshiped.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:2-3
On that first Christmas, long ago, God gave us the greatest gift–his Son. He loved us so much that He sent His son to save us–guilty and sinful as we are–Jesus came to free us from our bondage.
That is love!
And, that’s what Christmas is all about.
Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Christmas, my friends. I’m going to take a break from writing during the holidays. I’ll see you in 2018!