Wednesday, December 16, 2015

The Truth about Christmas



The holiday season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, filled with laughter and joy. So why can’t I get into the Christmas spirit this year?!? The weather in Georgia could have something to do with it… any other time of year, the beautiful, sun-shiny, seventy degree weather would be ideal, but it just feels wrong to be hanging up my Christmas wreath while wearing jeans & a t-shirt. It’s not “Christmassy" at all! 

Another contributing factor might be that we’re a week out from Christmas and I haven’t gotten very much of my Christmas gift shopping done. The more I think about having to go out in that mess with the holiday traffic, the searching for a parking spot, and the crowds of people at the mall; the more I just want to skip the Christmas Holiday, shout "Happy New Year!", and get this busy, stressful, hectic holiday season over with!

But, then as I’m watching my two year old play with his Fisher Price nativity scene, I’m reminded that none of those things listed above are truly “Christmassy”. Christmas isn't pretty decorations, or fancy gifts. It isn't packing our schedules so full that we can't enjoy the people we're with, because we are stopping in to say hello at one party so that we can rush to the next one. The madness has to STOP! The Truth about Christmas, is found away in a manger, no crib for a bed. Jesus is the real reason we celebrate Christmas, and not just because of his birth, but because of the man He grew up to be. So, while I’ve gone the minimalist rout on decorating this year (one Christmas wreath hanging on the front door, our stockings dangling on the mantle, and a plastic nativity scene), because I just wasn’t in the mood to decorate, I’m finding that it’s a lot easier to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas when I don’t have all those other things blocking my view of the joy I have in knowing that Jesus came to earth as a baby, so that He could grow up to be the Savior of the world.

The Birth of Jesus as told in Luke 2:1-14

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.



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