‘But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ Luke 2:10-11
My family of origin has embraced and celebrated Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ my entire life. As a young mom, I was caught up in shopping for just the right gifts; the excitement and anticipation of watching my children open presents on Christmas morning.
Some of our adult children were home during the recent Thanksgiving and we watched old family movies. We laughed. I cried. Where did those days go to? But as I sat viewing footage from Christmas, 20 years ago, I was struck by how quickly the gifts were unwrapped in order to get to the next gift, wrapping paper piling higher on the floor around a growing sea of new toys.
I wanted to stop the movie and shout, ‘No, that’s not what happened. No, we weren’t that family.’ Our children knew the meaning of Christmas. They participated in Christmas pageants and we sang songs like Away in a Manger. But as I watched the home movies, I wondered if I had missed something.
Reflecting back to my own childhood, I recalled a season where everybody celebrated Christmas. It didn’t matter if you said Merry Christmas to your Jewish friends. Nobody got offended. People shopped for Christmas presents. Decorated Christmas trees. Put up Christmas lights. Kids made Christmas lists. And on Christmas Day we acknowledged Jesus. Yes there was the marathon gift opening but we were not confused about our heritage and we thanked God for the blessings.
Today, I still love the Christmas season. The hustle and bustle; the lights and singing carols and even though there’s less of it - yes, finding that perfect gift. And this Christmas I have more unanswered prayers and sadness looming within me than I’ve ever experienced, yet, I understand Christmas more this year than any other. The Christmas story seems more relevant to me. This year Heaven’s good news has taken on a deeper meaning for me. God’s love story is more profound in my life. I can sense God’s love and protection even in my desperate hours.
I use to be afraid of being alone. I remember as a teenager that most of my girlfriends couldn’t wait for their parents to let them stay home alone. Not me. Give me lots of people in the house; the more the better.
Today, as I choose Christ as my center, I don’t so much mind being alone because I seldom feel lonely with Jesus in my life. He’s my life partner and He can be your life partner too!
So let me ask. Where are you this Christmas? Perhaps you are that young mom scrambling for the perfect gifts. Or you are single and have feelings of loneliness without a partner. Or perhaps you are recently separated or divorced and wondering why God isn’t fixing your pain.
Would you do a favor for me and stop what you are doing and put your hope in Jesus right now? God is able to do more than you can ever imagine, right in your current situation. I am literally watching Him remove more and more dirty ashes within my life and replacing them with the type of internal peace and wholeness that makes me thirsty for more of Him.
Even if you have to praise Him now and feel it later…don’t allow your circumstances to steal your joy. ‘I sing for joy because of what You have done.’ Psalm 92:4
Come and get refreshed. Let go of what the world tells you and fall in love with the greatest love story ever told. Because when you do, you’ll experience overwhelming peace. The kind of peace that only comes from knowing and walking the path of your life with Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!
Let’s pray. Father, I’m not sure who is reading this. Perhaps they haven’t prayed to you since they were a child; perhaps they need a miracle from You. Lord, whoever it is, show them the things that You’ve shown me. Bless them with the sufficient grace that I’ve found with You in my life. May each person find a new meaning of Christmas this year. May they find Jesus, the way You meant Him to be found. In Your strong name I pray. Amen.
Until next time~
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas,
Blessings, Nancy
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