Yesterday, we talked about approaching the Christmas season with a spending plan. Today, my goal isn't to deter you from buying Christmas gifts for your loved ones, but to remind us all that while the spirit of giving is a beautiful way to embrace the holidays, it isn't the ultimate purpose of Christmas. The truth is that Christmas isn't about you, me, or gift recipients. It's really about honoring God by celebrating the birth, life, and sacrifices of Jesus Christ (the God-man) who came and offered us the opportunity to once again take our places in God's kingdom, enabling us to stand in proper position as His royal sons and daughters in the earth.
Whether we choose to shop for Christmas, volunteer at food pantries, or give money to the poor, we must remember why Christmas is so important, and why pleasing others through our financial efforts shouldn't be the top priority of this holiday.
There's a passage in the New Testament gospel of Luke that I believe provides a perfect example of the focus and attitude we should have during Christmas. In Luke, chapter 2, verses 27-31, Simeon, an older gentlemen who had been faithfully anticipating the Messiah's arrival and holding on to God's promise that he wouldn't die until he had seen the Lord, had the following experience:
So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in PEACE. According to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your SALVATION which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a LIGHT TO BRING REVELATION to the Gentiles [unbelievers], and the GLORY of Your people Israel [believers]" (New King James Version).
As we prepare for Christmas, let's also prepare our hearts and minds to worship our God for the Lord, Jesus Christ and share our gratitude for the peace, salvation, light, revelation, and glory He brought to humanity millenniums ago. Shop if you must, but determine that you will not allow it to take precedence over expressing praise for God's faith and favor in your life, and the personal, precious, and priceless example of Jesus Christ!
Wow. Thanks so much for the reminder of the truth of the season. It gets too easy to move the most precious gift, Jesus Christ, to the secondary role because of what we see. This was right on and I appreciate you putting it out there. (though I already knew it)
ReplyDeleteAw, Angela...don't make me cry! I'm just grateful to have a gift to give others. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a message on the blog. Jesus REALLY IS the reason for the season!
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