BIBLE PASSAGE:
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a
son, and you will call Him Immanuel, God with us.”
(Isaiah 7:14)
MEDITATION:
When we were children, we looked forward to Christmas
because we knew we were going to be receiving presents,
and that was our primary focus. However, as we become
adults, our anticipation isn’t nearly as pleasurable, is it?
We know getting ready for Christmas involves a lot of
effort on our part, and it can cause us to have additional
anxieties and stress.
The dreaded hours of shopping, setting up Christmas decorations,
sending Christmas cards, and attending different gatherings stare
us dead in the face. If we are having Christmas at our house, there
is food preparation and sleeping arrangements for any who may be
spending the night with us.
We feel we have to have the perfect house, the perfect menu, the perfect
table settings, etc. As much as we look forward to everyone arriving, we
can find ourselves looking forward to when they will be going home. It’s
not that we don’t want them there and that we don’t enjoy time with
them, but we just need some rest from all our preparatory efforts. All
of our ‘pre-Christmas’ efforts can be overwhelming, and they can steal
some of the joy of spending time with our family and friends.
God gave us the greatest gift we could ever receive – His Son, Jesus.
And, Jesus taught us to develop a giving spirit and attitude. He didn’t
teach us to give lavish and expensive gifts to each other. He taught us
to give of ourselves; to give what can be cherished by others. He taught
us to give love, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and grace.
Think about what the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus communicates
to us. When the Magi came to see Jesus, they didn’t give gifts to each other;
the gifts they brought were for Jesus! And what is the most expensive gift we
can give to Jesus? It is giving Him ourselves, isn’t it?
It’s the same gift we should be giving to each other during the Christmas
season (and throughout the year). However, many don’t want (or know how)
to give of themselves. so they choose to smother others with gifts. Life can
become hectic and keep us busy going in many directions at breakneck
speeds. But Christmas is a time to hit the ‘pause’ button, and gather
together as family and friends.
It is a time when we remind ourselves (and each other) of how much we
care about and love one another. It is a time to break down barriers in
relationships (not only with each other, but with our Savior and our
Heavenly Father). It is a time to remember how Jesus taught us to give
of ourselves. in the same way He gave of Himself for us. It is a time to
give to each other what money cannot buy.
Think about the gifts you have received over the years. Which ones
did you cherish the most? Were they the expensive gifts, or were they
the inexpensive, personal ones which expressed love? We can give cards
with messages of love that lift the spirits of others. We can give hugs,
conversation, and laughter. We can give of ourselves, as Jesus did.
It has become a tradition to give gifts to each other during this season,
but we dilute the focus on Jesus and relationships when we overspend
on gifts for each other. We create an atmosphere of focusing on the gift
rather than the giver. Think about how this affects our focus on Jesus.
Think about what we are teaching the next generation about the meaning
of Christmas. Look at how God described the psalmist, David:
After removing Saul, he made David their king.
God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David
son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do
everything I want him to do.’
(Acts 13:22)
As a ‘man after God’s own heart’, David knew the importance
of teaching future generations about the meaning of Christmas.
Posterity will serve him; future
generations will be told about the Lord.
(Psalm 22:30)
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
(Psalm 45:17)
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty
acts to all who are to come.
(Psalm 71:18)
May he endure as long as the sun, as
long as the moon, through all generations.
(Psalm 72:5)
We will not hide them from their descendants; we
will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds
of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
(Psalm 78:4)
Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever; from generation to
generation we will proclaim your praise.
(Psalm 79:13)
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness
known through all generations.
(Psalm 89:1)
Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:
(Psalm 102:18)
ACTION:
Do you want to experience the joy of Christmas this year?
It starts with changing our focus. When we were children,
our focus was on presents; however as adults our focus is
on preparations and striving to ensure everything is perfect.
This year, start by getting alone, taking a deep breath, and opening
your Bible. Spend some time thinking about how you can express
love through inexpensive gifts, and how you can give something that
will be cherished for years. Think about how much more you can give
of yourself to others, and more importantly how much more you can
give to Jesus.
Remind yourself that the real reason
for the season is Jesus – it is His birthday!
While they were there, the time came for the baby
to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a
son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in
a manger, because there was no guest room available
for them. (Luke 2:6-7)
Take a moment and visualize the night He was born in a manger.
Close your eyes and picture Mary wrapping up baby Jesus. Think
about how her hands carefully and caringly folded each corner of
cloth. Imagine the love pouring out of her heart as she tenderly
kissed His forehead.
Read once again about how Jesus, the ‘King of kings’, left Heaven and
came to the earth in human form to complete a mission. His mission
was specifically for you! Christmas is a time for celebrating His birth
and His mission for everyone on earth individually, and collectively.
When we realize that everything else about Christmas is just ‘fluff’,
we can feel the tenseness, worry, and pressure start to dissipate. All
the other things are not bad, but they are just not THAT important.
Christmas is a time for celebrating Jesus, and the awesome sacrifice
He made for you, me, and all mankind!
Pause to remember the love shown by the Lord for you,
as He willingly went to the cross for your sins. Don’t
just casually and intellectually think about it, but
contemplate the magnitude of what that means.
We will live a short time of our life on earth, but the huge majority
of our life will be spent in eternity. Doesn’t it make sense that we
should look for opportunities to recognize and thank the One who
has made it possible for our eternity to be a blissful time of joy and
peace? None of us want to face the tragic results of what eternity will
be for us if we fail to accept His offer for us to spend the rest of our
life with Him in heaven.
Of course, many will still go through the same things they do every
Christmas, and most will still have the same focus they have every
year, but you can choose for things to be different for you this year.
Change your primary focus, and each day leading up to Christmas
Day choose to spend time with the One who loves you, and came to
earth to complete a mission for your benefit. No matter how others
may feel about you, no matter how you might be treated by others,
you are special, and you are loved by the ‘King of kings’!
Read and meditate on these words from the song,
“How Many Kings”:
How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
to romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, no matter how busy life gets, or how stressed
I may feel at Christmas, this year I want to unwrap the gift of
Your Son’s presence each day. Jesus, help me to see You, hear
Your voice speak to my heart, and freely obey You whenever
You lead me in peace to follow the path You have planned for
me. Thank You for giving up so much, and for showing me an
unequaled love that overwhelms me every time I pause to think
about it, and about You. Teach me to seek Your purpose in all
of my plans.”
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