Holidays

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The Christmas season is upon us, it’s a season of giving, just as God gave His only begotten Son. Jesus is God’s gift to the world. He arrived on the scene over 2000 years ago wrapped in swaddling clothes, born in a lowly manger. Pure and holy He was birthed into this world, through a virgin named Mary. In all humility He ascended to the right hand of the Father where today He’s a bridge for you and me to access the throne of God. Christmas originally was a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ; people gave freely with pure hearts. They went from door to door singing carols and bringing good cheer. When a family was in need, people went out of their way to provide and make sure the need was met. The people of that era enjoyed helping others.

I loved going shopping during the holidays; mom had my hand tightly gripped. As a young boy I would get caught up in all the lights and the world of fantasy portrayed in the store fronts, out of no where a familiar tug, and suddenly I was back in the real world. I could see in the distance a figure of a person standing next to a red kettle, ringing a bell. I begged mom to give me some change to drop in the kettle, at the time I didn’t understand what I was doing, but mom did, and she gave freely. The Christmas’s of yesteryear have long pasted away.

Christmas today has a less than desirable odor! In appearance it looks as it did years ago. But on the inside it has taken on a selfish role. I remember when I was young I would be happy with any present under the tree. Today’s children, if it’s not what they wanted, they will through a fit until you return it for the gift they desired, even the adult’s aren’t content with the gifts they received. The return lines after Christmas are larger than the purchase lines! We are becoming a society of ungrateful people, squandering our blessing the first chance we get.

People use to shout blessing with good cheer as they went to and fro shopping. Today it’s backed up traffic with unpleasant gesture coming from the occupants, road rage and fighting for the last gift. Christmas is not about you or me! It’s about being selfless and giving, not receiving.

Where has the spirit of Christmas gone?

Today we as Christians need to turn the other cheek more than ever; we need to go the extra mile! This Christmas season we need to be the light of the world, we need to out shine the façade of what the world has done to the birth of Christ. I’m not saying to stop the celebrations, I’m saying show the world what the celebration is all about, and that’s about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The world is growing darker by the moment, which gives us greater opportunities to be a light for this world. This Christmas I challenge you to shine like never before, wear the coat of humility when shopping this season with the scarf of mercy, let your giving not be done before men, but in secret.

Humble Savior, we celebrate you this season, we lift you up before the world from your lowly manger, for all eyes to see. We proclaim your majesty on the earth as it’s done in the heavens. Grant us patients with the world as we go that extra mile to shine in the darkness. Cloth us in humility and remove from us all selfishness. Happy Birthday dear Lord.

In Jesus name.

© Randall Wadley

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