As I sit
here pondering my Christmas to-do list, I find myself wondering where all of
this began. From Christmas cards to
cookies and decorations to parties, all of the activity throughout the holiday
season leaves little time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. While I enjoy every aspect of Christmas,
including all of these fun aspects of the holiday season, it is my hope and
prayer that we can all slow down a bit, amid the busyness of Christmas, and
remember that special night so long ago.
On the first
Christmas night, there were no last-minute holiday sales or revolving Christmas
trees adorned with twinkling lights. No
one wrote Christmas cards to a hundred of their closest relatives or friends and
no one wrapped gag gifts for the annual office Christmas party. On that glorious night, a bright star lit up
the heavens, announcing the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The first Christmas night, while quite humble
compared to the fanfare we have today, was the moment that changed the world forever. Although Jesus Christ was born in a hay-filled
manger, he grew up to save the world.
This
Christmas, I am striving to keep my eyes on Jesus Christ. Even as I select special items to give to my
family and friends, I want these items to remind them of my love for them and
in turn, the love that Jesus has for all of us.
To me, the greatest joy in giving a gift is sharing my love with someone
else. I truly believe that it is more
blessed to give than receive. So did
God. But he didn’t give us another pair
of socks, a gift card to our favorite restaurant, or a new smartphone. He gave us his only Son, Jesus Christ, as the
greatest gift ever given in the history of mankind.
Following in
his Father’s footsteps, Jesus gave of himself by healing the sick, raising the
dead, and performing many miracles.
Jesus helped others more than we will ever know. God’s Word says, “Jesus also did many other
things. If they were all written down, I
suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written”
(John 21:25 NLT). Then when Jesus was 33
years old, he made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life, so that we could
have eternal life (see I John 3:16).
Jesus’ level
of giving sort of makes that beautiful scarf you bought for your grandmother or
the train set you picked out for your children pale in comparison doesn’t
it? That’s the beauty of gift giving
though. Jesus gave of himself, expecting
nothing in return. Even now, he doesn’t expect
any form of repayment. We have the
freedom to either accept this priceless gift of grace or reject this precious
gift that has been freely extended to every man, woman, boy, and girl.
This Christmas
season, my prayer is that you will embrace the love of Jesus Christ. As you write your Christmas cards to family
and friends, decorate sugar cookies with your sons and daughters, and enjoy
shopping for all of the special gift recipients on your list, remember why we
celebrate this holiday in the first place.
Even amid the holiday hustle, Jesus Christ is the reason for it all. Without the birth of Christ, Christmas would
not be CHRISTmas. Without Christ, the
world would not be the same. The birth
of Jesus brought love, peace, and joy to the world. On that first Christmas night so long ago,
Hope was born. Eternal hope found only
through Jesus Christ. That is how Christmas changed the world.
In Christ’s
Love,
Jennifer
