We all have our own separate traditions but at the end of the day we must stay true to the real reason for this season. Jesus Christ our Lord and savior is the ultimate Christmas gift. Santa, an elf, frosty or rudolf didn't give their life for me. It's so easy to get caught up in the fun of these things and spend more time celebrating them than Jesus. I say this just as a reminder and reality check it's not to say that playing into these fantasies that help create Christmas Magic are wrong because that's not at all what I am saying. My children love the tree, lights and Christmas Spirit but just like Disney World they know it's just for fun!
So often we get offended at ministers or saints this time of year thinking they are crushing our modern forms of celebration. If you are someone who gets agitated every time you hear someone say
"we need a little more Jesus and a little less Santa" then you truly need to re-check your priorities.
As someone in a younger generation I say let's get back to the basics. Let's evaluate all the consumer driven traditions we have.
What would your Christmas be like without presents? I asked myself this last week and the first thought that came to mind was "refreshing"! I am blessed with so much and if you are able to read this I'm guessing you are too.
What if all we did was give food to the needy, blankets to the homeless, toys to underprivileged children, carols to the elderly? Just think about it! That's the kind of Christmas Jesus wants from us to serve people who need Him (which by definition is everyone) When did it become so stressful? When we become so overwhelmed with these things we lose the Christmas Spirit and the holidays pass us by without the opportunity to enjoy!
We live in a "me" society! Let's be a part of the change. There is no reason any of us should be under extreme pressure to deliver a "wow gift" to kids in our family who already have more than they need. That's not what it's about!!
I just hope, myself included we can evaluate our actions throughout this holiday season. The first priority is to give to God! If you give material things before you give Godly things now is the time to change that.
Christmas is more than a fable or fairy tale. Christmas is Jesus in you! Our children should see more of church and Christ than anything else! Like my Pastor teaches our children's best friends should come from church!
"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus" Neal A. Maxwell
My 6 year old was telling his dad & me all the toys in his room that he was going to give to each if his friends. We told him, that he didn't have to give away his toys & he replied "well I thought Christmas was about giving"? So, we explained that we could buy a gift for someone and God would bless our giving. He sat & thought about that and said "well you know what I'm going to give Jesus" and when we proudly asked what he said "I'm going to give him my heart"
I want to make sure I am setting the example of giving with an open hand & trusting in Jesus who is the hope of glory. I challenge each if you this season to remember the true meaning of Christmas and take time to share it with your children. Allow them to be a part of something bigger than them!
We can celebrate Jesus all year long by "delighting ourselves in Him" Psalm 37:3
Remember it's not about what you give but how you give. Be cheerful and happy! Don't just say "It's not about the gift" & then let your actions show it is. Every year I hear "it's not about the gift" then I watch how people act about a gift given knowing.
No matter how well you think you know someone there may be things you DONT know & they may be giving all they have so just smile and say "thank you"! We can't teach our children to do this if we are not doing it. Go into the season expecting nothing & giving through Christ eyes.
In most cases the miraculous story of Jesus can be more than our minds can conceive, it's about our savior being born in a manger so that he could die on a cross in spite of who we are! As we celebrate everything else fun about Christmas we should make sure Christ is the center of it all. Focus on the gift of time with your loved ones which is a gift we often take for granted.
Have fun. Be happy. Smile a lot. Laugh often. Slow down & be thankful! After all It's A Wonderful Life!
I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading. I pray you reflect as I have and implement some forgotten traditions back into our families!
Merry Christmas!
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