The sounds of presents being packaged, and ribbons being tied are going on all around me. It's great to be back home with my family, nibbling on some christmas cookies, and trying not to think so much about myself. I had to take some thoughts captive earlier today.
I said, to myself, I don't deserve anything for Christmas. After I thought about that awhile, I realized that no one deserves anything for Christmas. The scripture verse that came to mind was, "Why are you so envious, that I am so generous?"
Leave it to God, to allow, and condone presents giving to each other on His birthday. I know we usually think of this as a negative thing, to bring up the birth of Christ. No, I'm not saying that we should feel guilty for giving or receiving presents tomorrow. No, the whole point of the day is to give,recieve, and feel God's love and forgiveness.
Can you imagine how odd it would be if Jesus never came? We would be absolutely hopeless, and have nothing to hang on to. But Jesus did come, and what a blessing we have been freely given. God gave the most precious, prized possession, He had. His only Son. What tremendous love God has for us. We certainly don't deserve it, but it's still ours for the taking anyway. What a wonderful gift. We will always have His love. Christmas is a celebration of God's love for mankind and it is indeed endless. No love will ever match our Savior's incomparable luxiorious affection. Sweeter than the frosting on a fresh batch of cookies, and more filling than a Christmas ham. Things can only get better with Jesus, because He will always be a good thing.
The best thing that can happen to someone is if they lose everything; money, relationships, possessions, you name it. They'll discover a wonderful truth, if God allows them to. We will never be separated from His love, and so we are never alone. It is nice, however, to be with those in flesh and blood, but it was His flesh, and His blood that gave us full assurance of never being without God. Are we alone in the universe? Only if we stick our fingers in our ears, and miss the sound of His voice. Or cover our eyes, so that the brilliance of His creation doesn't astound us like the sun in the sky.
Tomorrow is the celebration of what David Crowder calls "a revolutionary love". God's love has changed, is changing, and will continue to change the world. To be a vessel, of that love, is the living heartbeat of every believer. God is the change that we seek. God is a revolution of peace and stillness, in a world of confusion and chaos. Rather than hate and fear, a great mixture of love with truth can change everything. No matter what we face in life, we will never have to do so alone. Immanuel, means "God with us". May it be more than a nice song, or a clever phrase. May God fill us with the awareness of His Presence. Enjoy "Jesus Awareness" week, and party on with what God has bountifully provided this year.
Oh, and one more thing. Father Christmas is really the Heavenly Father in disguise. How can I say that? The word "Christmas" means "Christ" "masse", which I've heard a friend translate as "the begginning of Christ". So, the father of the "Christ", is the Heavenly Father. Therefore, Father Christmas is really the Heavenly Father in a red suit with a beard. I know of the pagan things, but let's let Jesus be the Great Redeemer that we know He is, and celebrate His love.
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