Wednesday, December 25, 2013

CHRISTMAS

Once in time, the true meaning of Christmas was the celebration of the birth of a Savior. A day anticipated for hundreds of years by the Jewish nation had finally come. A promise from God, that there would be a King over Israel that would never be dethroned and a promise to all that would believe, a Savior who would take away the sins of the world, fulfilled.  

As I sit this Christmas morning, I can’t help but to think about all of children who went to bed last night with so much anticipation that they could hardly sleep, and parents who had no problems putting them to bed.  I reminisce on the emotions that I felt as a child on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I wonder where it all went. What happened to the joy and the anticipation? When did we allow the most wonderful day in time to become a commercial holiday, controlled by consumer over indulgence? Instead of unimaginable joy over a savior being born, children anticipate the arrival of a man in a red and white suit coming to bring them their hearts desire. Parents stressed and depressed, bound by debt trying to fulfill their children’s desires. Children upset and disappointed because Christmas was not all they anticipated it to be. Many disheartened because of the loss of loved ones.

I can image what the Kings must have felt, as they saw the star appear in the sky, and what the shepherd’s in the field must have experienced when the angels proclaimed the birth of this King/Savior (Luke 1 and 2). Feelings of so much anticipation, that they were willing to pack up their camels and travel the desert following the star that should lead them to the awaited the promise:

The promise of peace and good will on earth
The promise of being set free from the control of sin
The promise of spending eternity with my creator
The promise of a good heart and not a stony one


What is your focal point for Christmas? Let’s not forget the true meaning of Christmas, and let us not forget to teach our children. We have already received the best gift on Christmas. Nothing can be compared to it. Absolutely nothing! 

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