As it’s just a day before Christmas, we’ve been seeing the usual speed of life’s activities increase. The traffic is dense, the stores and line-ups are busier, and our errand list becomes longer. Colorful lights are everywhere, and the task to clean and prepare your house before company arrives is imminent. If we have a few days off work, it’s often replaced with needing to catch up before the big day arrives. Becoming immersed in every which way to fulfill the completion of a Christmas list and the stresses of overspending can clutter our outlook on what it’s all about. Don’t get me wrong, there’s preparation for every great holiday, and this one is made the biggest deal of. But… what if we’re too busy to see and include the true reason for Christmas.

When I drive around neighborhoods, I see many displays which are commonly seen. There is Mickey Mouse, Santa, the Grinch, Reindeer, and even Frosty. Yes, I grew up on these as well. But what I don’t see much of is Jesus… When I do see a nativity scene or some angels, I get excited within, simply because Jesus was remembered. 

I think for little children when they see the nativity scene of baby Jesus in a manger, they may get less get excited because to them, it’s not a representation of someone who has a bunch of presents and comes down the chimney to deliver them under a tree. They may feel like the nativity scene is a clash from the big man in a red suit who is believed to bring the newest game for their Nintendo switch, a baby doll, a new bike, or the newest Air Jordans on the 25th of December. But do they know who this baby truly is and what he truly means for them?

Matthew 1:23 ESV- Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)

The True Deliverer of Gifts

The source from whom our existence dwells and from whom our needs are met has been greatly misunderstood by replacements, innocently though actually. And when it’s all said and done- deceivably. He is the reason for our many blessings. He is Jehovah Jireh – which means “The Lord will provide”. He is the provider of our jobs, the food on our tables, the roof over our heads, but most importantly the source and provider of our strength, our peace, and our hope. And he doesn’t come down a chimney, he came down from Heaven, and he doesn’t just show up once a year, he is ever-present, every moment of our lives. Plus his gifts aren’t temporary but eternal!

Philippians 4:19 ESV- And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The nativity scene shifts our attention to Jesus, who was presented with the gifts instead by the three wise men known as the Magi, in Bethlehem in Judea. They had located the star which had led them to where baby Jesus lie, along with his Father Joseph and Mother Mary. 

Matthew 2:9-11: After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Unto Us, The Gift of A Child Was Born

A child may not understand that on the 25th, we’ve chosen this day to recognize the best gift of all who was born and would later be a sacrifice for our sins that we could have the gift of eternal life.

It wasn’t called Giftmas, or Santamas but- CHRISTmas.

His birth was an extraordinary thing. Why? Because Christ was-

• Born of a virgin mother (Mary who had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit)

• The King, Messiah & Lamb of God who would grow up to become the sacrifice for our sins 

• The fulfillment of prophecy from the Old Testament in the Bible, spoken of from many years prior 

• The future of all humanity’s hope and salvation.

• A birth of extraordinary and divine significance

Intentionally or not, we may find that through the coming years, Jesus may slowly gain less recognition. However he can never be hidden and one day all will see and know him if they’ve ever doubted. He is Holy, one who is sacred, and one to be honored and worshiped. He is God wrapped in flesh. He is what was, what is and what will be to come! He is Jesus our Lord! There is so much meaning behind this special season. So this Christmas when you share time and loving memories with your family or friends, don’t forget to clear the clutter around the busy season to include and see the true significance of Christmas…….Jesus