The Warmth of the Holidays
This holiday season has a way of making us all feel a little more vibrant inside. From the assortment of bright lights, the traditional sung songs, gift-giving, games, cookie baking, and laughter or cheer, we remember why it brings us such joy. It reminds us of childhood memories and the excitement that’s displayed from surprised faces while unwrapping a “thought it had been forgotten” special present that touches the heart. We remember the warmth that comes on Christmas morning when the family unites and eats homemade dishes, pies, and casseroles. We know that while becoming refreshed by extra time off, and winding down, we’re also starting over in a brand new year a week from then. Exciting times. While this is all very special, there is something extraordinary we must also and foremost take a moment to reflect on in remembrance of this special season. (We’ll get to that in just a moment)
The Lesson
While our culture today adapts to the pressing hustle and bustle around Christmas, it’s easy to become increasingly absorbed in the task of keeping up with what Christmas in Western culture looks like. But something happened to me that caught my attention this year…While driving down a back road leading into my neighborhood from a distance, it was as if God spoke in my spirit after observing the many homes full of Christmas lights gleaming from afar. Beautiful it was. But then this scripture came to me-
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV- “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I couldn’t help but wonder have we lost sight of the reason for shining….
It made me realize how we as people can be our own bright and beautiful shiny home for the world to see while staying within the confines of our own homes and giving ever the more to ourselves. Not to say this is everyone or that one shouldn’t decorate or give to the members of their family inside their own homes. But what it presented in my spirit while approaching the well-put-together multi-colored presentations, was that the light from God within ourselves wasn’t meant to be shut off or isolated to the lot we live on, but it was meant to extend out from our hearts and go beyond our personal lives to share our good deeds that glorify our Father in heaven even further!!
The True Reason
The true joy that spills out from within the boundaries of our homes is from knowing the Savior of the world who was born in a manger in Bethlehem in Judea. His mother, Mary who was conceived with child from the Holy Spirit, birthed a baby boy that would change our lives forever and even eternally.
Matthew 1:23 NIV– The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.
The Story Becomes Alive In You! As you get to know Him for yourself, which I encourage you to do, these words become more than just a story you’ve heard one day in Sunday school, on a flyer, in a theatrical play, in a commercial, or in a Christmas service itself. It becomes alive in your soul and is the reason for who you’ve become today!
Matthew 1:21 NIV– She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
Let’s Not Lose Sight
The most important highlight of the season is to not lose sight of the greatness of Jesus and the honor He holds by the masking of other holiday emphases. While Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Santa, trees, and candy canes are shown on every display, they hold not the priority for believers during Christmas time. I’ve noticed that as time goes on, Biblical references of the nativity scene, stars, angels, or Jesus become harder to find in stores and less displayed. It is up to us to remember and become a beacon of light that shines from within by sharing more of God’s love and pointing to the reason for the season!
Silent Night, Away in A Manger, Oh Holy Night, these songs remind us and give us gratitude because of His existence. It’s the most loving reminder of the fact that God has never left us but had the plan all along to make sure we could be redeemed by the blood of Jesus, which was shed for the forgiveness of our many sins. It was so that we could partake in his invitation this day. Because of this, we can give Him our good, great, bad, and ugly in exchange for believing and trusting in Him and to walk with Him today in a beautiful loving, and faithful union.
Believe in the reason for the season & have a happy and blessed holiday season!