Can you believe it? We are almost there. Christmas!
What a wonderful time. The symbol of giving, the Christmas trees, are being brought in and decorated. Some have one tree and some have several. My daughter loves to display many. But she sacrificed one to a friend in need this year, then helped decorate it for the single mother and her young child. My children and grandson are into the season, big time, as are millions who will celebrate with traditions like gathering with family, eating, watching movies, playing games, perhaps sharing the Christmas story from the Word…
Oh, that wondrous story! When God gave us the greatest present of all time in the form of another child born into “poor,” but divinely designed, circumstances: our Jesus Christ. Of course, like so many things considered in today’s world, people are divided about whether the nativity story is even true. And in this era of attempting to never “offend” anyone, there are many who want “Christ” taken out of Christmas.
And it is certainly their choice to celebrate the holiday, or not, any way they choose. As it is our right to celebrate what we believe.
As we acknowledge and celebrate what the day truly symbolizes next week, let us always remember His Word. As we are told, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)
The world was in need and our God gave us the gift of salvation. Salvation comes in learning to live and love the way God did. His son is that very clear example.
To Christians, He says. “The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7:6) It was exactly because we are treasured, that He sent His Son to show us the way. To show us the depths of love… how far it will go. We are to watch and imitate. This is His magnificent present to us if we chose to accept it. It is our prayer that all will but we are not to condemn those who do not.
Our Abba Father loves each of us completely but, with that other extraordinary gift He has given us, it is our call, whether to accept Christ as Lord and live for Him, that brings us to an amazing life altering relationship with our God of Love that only that belief can bring.
Never be ashamed to keep “Christ” in Christmas. To acknowledge the extraordinary gift He gave us by saying “Merry Christmas” out loud. Reveal Christ in Christmas through sincere love and positive actions of concern for others in need. There are so many. Rather than living divided over greeting etiquette, simply live in love the way our Jesus did. He spent a lot of time meeting needs where those in his path had them. We can do the same. Like my daughter, Tamara Salem, and the tree. This is one tiny example of our Father’s Love being shown to someone who needed it. We need only open our eyes to those around us to find those needs and do what we can in the spirit of love to meet them. So often, we see that this time of year and, really, isn’t that the best part about it?
I say let us keep the beauty of Christ in Christmas going on every day. Not just once a year but every day.
As Elvis once sang, “Why can’t every day be like Christmas?” Why not? It is up to us.
Love you so, Sweet Children of God. MERRY CHRISTMAS! May all of your wonderful dreams come true and may you make dreams come true for others too.
Poppa B