Thinking on Christmas

Photo by Aaron Burden

Have you been busy? I have. 
Not only in the basic Christmas busyness (buying gifts, Christmas cards, etc) but all in our ministry. The last couple of months we have had a lot going on.
But I find myself wanting to pull back and just think on Christmas. I am wanting to rest (at least in my mind) on what Christmas is all about. 
A couple of nights ago my wife and I was watching "The Christmas Carol" (1999 version). Scrooge is the main character and the whole point of the movie is that he is missing the point. Why go through Christmas? Why celebrate? Why buy gifts and so on. The movie in short makes that caring for others is a gift unto itself and so on.
Well, I think we can go through Christmas like that. We can count down to Christmas, practice all of our family traditions (and I like those), and go to all of the parties, but still miss the point.
Take sometime to reflect on the birth of Jesus. Read ahead and start with the book and Luke and think about the ultimate gift given to man, announced to shepherds, born to outcast, staged in a manger, laying in a feeding trough, and about to become an refugee in Egypt. It is through this child that the salvation of all of mankind of all of time would come from. Through this child words of wisdom would flow what we ponder for over 2000 years. Through this child would heal many, care for many, and model for us how we are designed to be. "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"  is not only a catchy saying, it is the deeper truth we are in danger of missing.
So when you look at the Christmas lights, remember that Jesus is the light to the world. When you see the gifts under the Christmas tree, remember He was the ultimate gift. When you look at your Christmas tree remember it is in Christ we find life. And when you see your filled stockings, remember it is only Jesus Christ that can truly fill every part of our broken lives with His love.
Don't let us just be busy this Christmas Season. Let us think on why we are celebrating it.

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