This Christmas...
Luke 2:16-20 (Amplified Bible)
16) So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.
17) And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child,
18) And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19) But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.
20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
16) So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.
17) And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child,
18) And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19) But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.
20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
This Christmas season has been different than any other. Our family usually celebrates Christmas in a ginormous ( giant and enormous) fashion. We all love to give and to celebrate the Holiday's with fanfare and often great expense. This year was a year of transition. I personally have gone through many different things that have left me in a place that I have never quite been before. I financially was not in the place to do all that I normally do. As I talked with my children in reference to what this Christmas would and would not be, both of my children looked at me and said they understood. My son said "mom, I wanted to do something for you I am so sorry, but whatever we do or don't get it's okay." My daughter at a later time came to me as sat in my room in my own personal turmoil and said "mom, Christmas is about so much more. It is about family and most importantly Jesus' birth." Nothing like a child to bring it home for you. Although, this was common knowledge for me, her articulation of these values allowed me to know I had done two things right. I had raised two great kids and I had instilled God into their lives and value and principles that glorified Him. What a gift and what an amazing blessing.
How many of us are in a place this Holiday season that we have never experienced before, whether it be financially, spiritually, socially, emotionally or mentally? We have so many preconceived notions to what should and should not be and what makes a holiday beautiful. But is it remembering how blessed we are in so many other ways. It is drawing near to God as He draws near to us. It should be about doing what is right in spite of how we feel. It is applying all of God's promises in order for us to see a brighter and clearer future. It is not just concentrating on today, but being able to see what happen yesterday, with objectivity and perspective, seeing today with appreciation and being able to see what God has promised to be in our future, and believing Him in spite of our today. The tenderness of a touch, an encouraging word that has been spoken and hand up when we have been down, what a blessing and a gift that God has given us in the vehicle of these intimacies that we have lived and experienced.
This Christmas, don't look at the things that are or are not under the tree but look at the love that surrounds us, the children that have grown and been touched by our hand and teachings, the lives that God has allowed us to influence and touch along the way. But more importantly than anything else, "This Christmas, think about the ALL Knowing God, who sent His ALL together sinless son, to save an ALL together lost soul, like yours and mine. Remember what has already been given for you and I and what we have already received! His Love, His Life and His Legacy!
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