I sit in the early morning quiet and stillness. Hot coffee to take the early morning chill away. When the sun comes up we will all begin the scurrying around tending to family, social and business duties of our day. We may find it to be a bit more chaotic than we would like this time of year. We tend to let the media whip us into a frenzy over buying the latest sought after goods. The things that we are told will make for the perfect Christmas.
In fact, the perfect gift is free. It costs nothing but a moment of our time. Long enough to tell someone about Jesus. About His saving grace. About His love for a lost world. A world that seems more lost now, than ever in our history. It is not a gift that we can wrap. But, it is certainly a gift we can give, No warranty is needed. It will last a lifetime. An eternity. The gift that keeps on giving.
Gift giving generally starts with our own family. We should make sure that each of our own beloved have received the gift. Then we work from there outward to the world we work in, the world we go out into everyday, our friends and strangers alike. No need to be obnoxious. Just be real. Give an account of all that our gift has brought our own lives. Very simple really. No special wrapping required.
This season is about so much more than parties, gifts, and spending money. It is more than a story about a star, a baby and a manger. It is a story that some would say has a tragic ending. Those who would say that have not received the gift. There is no tragedy connected to this gift.
This is the season that we celebrate a journey. It started with God. He made a plan and carried it out beautifully. He got the world’s attention with a brilliant star in the night sky. A manger in a stable where animals were fed. A smelly place much like the stench of sin that covers the earth. Yet in the midst of the uncleanliness there stood a manger. It welcomed the Savior of the World. They say Shepherds came seeking the reason for the star, directed by angels. A host who burst into celebration in the dark of night, over their heads. That is just the beginning of the gift. There was more coming.
This beautiful gift would take about thirty-three and a half years to complete. There came a day when that baby would hand himself over to be tortured and nailed to a cross. He would allow His blood to stream from Him and the cry of forgiveness for those who led Him there. He died there. The end had come.
Most of the world knows the rest of the story. It is historical. He did not stay lifeless in the tomb. Death could not hold Him. He arose to show who He was. No longer was he a meek and mild little one in a manger. He was the Risen Savior, come to offer a way unto salvation for all who would believe.
That is the reason for the season. The whole journey. Anyone can love a precious baby in a manger. It is the love of a man, nailed to a cross, shedding His blood, that all who would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. That is the reason we celebrate. The whole journey, of the one we call the Prince of Peace, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Lion of Judah. The baby who burst forth, on a silent night, to lead us home. Seek Him, believe in Him. That is the completion of the gift of Christmas.
~Scripture For Today~
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (KJV)
Acts 1:8-
But you will receivee power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnessess, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (NLT)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Hallowed be your name. We let the world dictate to us how we celebrate. It often causes chaos and loss of peace in our homes. Stress comes where peace should abide. Father, help us place our focus on the whole journey of Your Son. From the manger to the cross. The two events that changed the world. Gave us hope and brings us peace even in the middle of a world in chaos. Thank You for offering the gift of forgiveness, mercy and grace. We pray that all would receive it. Forgive us in Jesus’ name. Amen.