A Christmas Thought

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  Matthew 2:1-2


       I am sitting in my comfortable chair beholding the beauty of my first Christmas tree in over twenty years.  A white tree with white lights.  Just awesome.  I am reminded of that first Christmas when the three wise men followed the star to find the baby Jesus.  And as I reflect on my thoughts and feelings in regards to Christmas I realize that I have been wrong for years.  


      I have always maintained that Christmas is NOT about the gifts.  But this year I have come to realize that I have been wrong.  My Pastor said it best... he said that Christmas IS really all about the gift... let's take a look.  


       Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to Earth to give us life.  He was a "gift" to us from God.  Jesus' entire life and death was a gift.   His birth meant that He was here.  His death on the cross was so that we would not have to die for own sins.  His life was full of teachings on, and examples of how God wants for us to live our lives. Each of these teachings and life examples was in itself a "gift".  


       I have been given the gift this year of being able to celebrate my love for God and my appreciation of the Gifts that God has given to me.  It is truly not lost on me.  I heard a song on the radio the other day... "Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, our Jesus Christ is born..."  That was one of the first songs I remember learning as a child... I learned it at a church next door to where I lived when I was about five years old... I used to sneak over and go to Sunday school with the other kids in the neighborhood.  And now that song has come to life with new meaning for me... I want to go tell it everywhere.... That Jesus Christ was born, lived, and died for you, for me, for everyone...


       God's gifts. That is what Christmas is all about.   God loved us so much that he has given us a gift so special that we really truly don't deserve.  But He want's us to have it anyway... We give gifts to family and friends at Christmas as a representation of the gifts that God has given us... It doesn't matter what we give each other... It is the joy one gets from giving something to someone they care about.  It's not about that gift, it's about what is behind the gift.  It's about love.  We love others as God has first loved us.  We give gifts representative of the gifts of love that God has given us... Our gifts can in no way compare to the gifts that God has given us... but let us be reminded this year with each gift we open, of the  Real Christmas Gift.  The Gift of Life as given to us when God sent His Son to take away our sins and give us everlasting life.


       Have a Merry Christmas folks, and be safe.  I am thankful for each and every one of you.  Each of you has been a gift from God in my life at some time throughout the year. 


       Dear Lord, please bless my friends and the others who might stumble upon this blog.  Please show them, as You have shown me, that You are there, that You are working in their lives, even when they don't think You're there.  And that You love them so much that You were willing to give up so much just to make them one of Yours.  And please help us to keep Christ in Christmas, as a reminder of Your awesome love for us.  Thank You.  You Rock!!!!!