Anticipating Christmas

Christmas Eve.  Sigh.  The presents are wrapped and most are under the tree.  In just hours most of them will be ripped open with smiles (I hope) and squeals of delight.  Christmas will reveal the true value of every gift in the eyes of each receiver. But we are fickle.  In a few weeks or months, what once was considered a treasured gift might be tossed aside as our affections are stolen away by something bigger or better. 

When my Heather was a little girl, she had one "bratty" Christmas that sticks in my mind and we still joke about today.  She had already opened an abundance of gifts at our home before arriving at her aunt and uncles.  They always lavished my kids with surprises (thanks to Aunt Connie) and both of my children looked forward to arriving for their 2nd round of gift receiving.  After opening the first gift, like it was nothing special, Heather spoke up "next!" As in next gift.  Total parental embarrassment.  And she didn't stop there.  "Next, next!"  She was underwhelmed by her gifts. Not because they weren't great.  She just wasn't satisfied.  To this day I have no idea what she was expecting!

Let's change scenes to Mary and Joseph. I wonder what their thoughts were as the time grew near for Christ's birth? Were they eagerly anticipating what was to come? Did they understand the magnitude of the gift that was about to enter into the world?  I think the answer would be all of the above - as much as their minds could hold of each emotion and with their human understanding of this miraculous event. They may have been "bratty" about many things before this but this night they were completely humbled.  Humbled to be a part of this part of God's plan...humbled to be chosen and entrusted with such a valuable treasure.  And I wonder if they would approve of how we celebrate Christmas?  Would they be disappointed? Would they see a humble people bowed on their knees in adoration?   As they held, cherished and cuddled Christ on that very first Christmas day, with full hearts, as well as full hopes and fears, with angels singing, shepherds worshiping, they knew no greater gift was coming, EVER.  And the world would never be he same. 

Christmas today looks more like hustle and bustle than the peaceful scene that is described in the book of Luke. Mega advertising for the latest and greatest begins as early as October! We over shop, overeat,  and deplete our bank accounts.  We are encouraged to say "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas for fear of not being politically correct or offending someone.  I dare say a Christmas in most of our homes could easily be called something else.  I dare say neither Mary or Joseph would want the name of Christ tagged to our celebrations in an after thought.

Christmas.  CHRISTmas.  Christ.  The reason we celebrate...or is it?  Are we, like Mary and Joseph, greatly anticipating the celebration of the King of all Kings?  If we are followers of Christ, we should be.  Or, is our true treasure wrapped in brightly colored paper, tagged and tucked under the tree?  Are we truly satisfied with the gift of Jesus Christ? Or are we continuing to look for something better? 

There is a gift that is better than any under your tree.  You only have to "open" it once.  There is nothing coming that will top it.  It is a gift that truly satisfies.  It will bring you immediate as well as continued satisfaction.  The gift is Jesus.  If you are reading this tonight, I pray you know Him.  I pray you are able to celebrate His birth in full knowledge the joy of belonging to Christ. If not, this precious gift is available to you right now! The gift of Christ has a "whoever" name tag.  Receive it with joy.

Luke 2

John 3

Acts 2:37-38