Christmas Day – Day 25

Written by TimMaynard on December 25, 2015. Posted in Pastor Tim's Blog.

It is here! The anticipation, the planning, the wrapping, the whispered secrets, the phone calls… all finding their culmination for most today. Christmas morning! Finding brightly-wrapped gifts beneath the tree with YOUR NAME on them.

In the midst of the stress this holiday can bring, the love that gets poured into Christmas morning makes it worth coming back and doing it all again next year! Well, let’s enjoy this one first.

Christmas memories seem indelible. Like many, I can remember way back to waking my parents bleary-eyed on Christmas morning. Only later did I learn why they were always so tired, as my own children awakened me after a night of assembling part A to non-existent part B and trying to make the toy look at least passingly like the cover on the box.

But it’s all done in love. The gifts chosen, some beautifully wrapped and some clumsily taped by young fingers, are in a deep sense a giving away of love. While to some Christmas may feel like obligation, to most it is a way to tell those who matter most to us “we love you.”

And that’s exactly what God did as He sent His only begotten Son, born of a woman, to come and be our substitute, our sacrifice for sin. The Son of God willingly came, becoming a real human being. The One Who died for us created the tree that made the manger in which he was laid. The Son of God… created the parents Who bore Him!

Let the mystery of Christ’s coming soak in before the wrapping and tinsel and lights and trees go away, and Christmas memories fade into the new year. The Savior we celebrate at Christmas made it all. He was the eternal “Word made flesh.” He is the One Who holds it all together, and Who is the exact image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15-20)

And He is truly the Reason for the Season. And the greatest gift you can give Him this Christmas is your affection, your devotion… your heart. Enjoy the day. All of it. Love your family, laugh, eat and celebrate.

But don’t forget the reason why.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

FOR REFLECTION: During the day, find a few moments to quietly read the Christmas narrative in Luke 2 either privately or aloud to your family and friends. Thank God again for His indescribable gift!