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twas the day before Christmas


MERRY CHRISTMAS from my family to you!!!

Today’s devotion is intended to make us think a bit about how we, as Christians and followers of Jesus, interact with the Christmas story on a regular basis.  Maybe this is a parody of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but it won’t flow the same.  Forgive me on that part.  But read on, and may God fill us with Christmas celebration on a daily basis!

Luke 2:7  NLT
She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

‘Twas the day before Christmas and all across the world people have prepared to celebrate this annual holiday.  Decorations abound.  The music plays everywhere possible.  Through the air there seems be electricity of anticipation.

It’s not the material goods or the presents that will be opened.  It is not the food that will be eaten or the even the conversations between people we rarely see.  It’s not even the feeling inside after we give or share or love another person.

The reason for this Christmas season is the Christ that was born.  He came to die.  He came to give life through His death.  That seems so strange, so out of character for a holiday celebration based upon joy and happiness.  Death isn't something we enjoy.  Life is meant to be enjoyed.

Yet the joy of life comes when you or I find purpose.  For as long as I can remember joy has been found in sharing with others.  Sharing a smile or a hug is amazing.  It puts a spring in our step, extra energy in our lives and purpose throughout our being.  It is Jesus that gives this joy and purpose.

But why is it that the meaning of Christmas is absent from many of the celebrations across the world?  Is Santa or season twisted so much that our Jesus cannot be seen?  That simply is not true.  Christmas continues to be a time when people listen and find real joy.

So listen close.  Share His story.  For many of us we are His story.  The story of how God came to earth and changed many lives including you and me. 

The story of Christmas has everything to do with people.  It is not the manger or the sheep.  It is not the presents waiting under the tree.  In fact, all of those things came into being to make a point or to light a way.  They point to and light up the reason for this and every Christmas season.  It is Jesus that is the sole reason of Christmas.

Share with others.  Don’t be shy.  They will listen at least for a minute or two.  Invite someone to see from your point of view Christmas has meaning and where you go from here.

For too many people get all wrapped up in the stuff that misses the truth of the baby born in a barn in that small town of Bethlehem.  Many people miss the truth that the baby born was the man who hung on a tree three decades later who uttered so many words of life and truth and who pointed the way.

Jesus is the child of Christmas, the son of God and the reason for this Christmas season.  Take some time today, Christmas Eve, tomorrow, Christmas day, and every day to make Jesus your Lord and to share Him with others.  Christmas and every day belongs to the purpose that God has given each of us … to share His life with others!

Acts 15:11  NLT
We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.
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