Last night, during our prayer time, my husband and I discussed the emptiness the world brings to such a blessed, joyous, and exceptional season as Christmas. The message from the world can be about getting. Like children, adults make lists hoping to get things too. Contentment that was managed fairly well all through the year is challenged.

My husband makes any gift-giving occasion exciting. Tangible gifts or life experiences keep me in suspense until the day arrives. He seems to delight in choosing a meaningful gift for me, even several. He has impressed me many times through the years with his selections. 

And yet as lovely as a gift might be, a gift is temporal. That doesn’t mean it has no value. The intrinsic nature of some gifts is high. The memory and the giver are important in every way. But gifts are subject to wear and tear, being broken, lost, or stolen and so we are left with the limitation of material gifts. 

So, once the holiday is over, you might feel empty unless you focus on your personal relationship with the living God through Christ. If you know Christ, you understand HE is the gift of Christmas and of every single day of your life, HE is eternal, and unchanging, and HE never grows tired or weary. HE is the reason for each day, not just Christmas Day. Christmas for every believer in Jesus is in your heart; life eternal, love everlasting.

CHRISTMAS,

a thrill of hope,

the weary world rejoices.

Do you wonder how the world comes together each year to celebrate? I do. It’s as if it doesn’t matter what one believes, everyone on the planet is on the same page about what season it is. The world may not know why they decorate, play the carols and songs, attend church, or feel differently this time of year. But each Christmas season invites a broken world to see the gift of Jesus as the Gift of Christmas.

Every glimmering light and baked confection announce He is the Gift. Each crinkle of Christmas wrap, passed on traditions, multi-sized wreaths, tinsel swooped trees, falling snowflakes, painted ornaments, and humble nativity scenes proclaim the most majestic birth ever and all announce to the world…

 I

 have

 come

FOR YOU.

Photo by Unsplash

Below are some quotes that capture the meaning of the glorious season:

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow