I haven't done any shopping yet for Christmas. Am I a procrastinator... maybe. Actually, I know I am procrastinating, because the stores have been screaming Holiday Savings and stocked with bargain Christmas paraphernalia since before Halloween. Now, I don't mean to sound like a Scrooge, but in the last several years the Holidays have made me cringe a little bit. Without a clear reason as to why, I have become increasingly hardened to this time of year. Not really Christmas mind you, but what the "Christmas Season" has sadly become for me. I thought that once we brought Mia home and put up the tree, and began a daily dose of Christmas songs that I would finally get over it, that the Christmas spirit would finally sink in and I would be just itching to get out and find that perfect gift for my little angel. But I'm not.
Maybe she's too young. Maybe when she can actually speak and begin to understand the concept of Christmas, my feelings will change. But as it stands right now, I look at all the bright colored toys strewn all over my living room, the puzzles, the music-makers, the boxes of new and hand-me-down clothes... Then I look in our spare bedroom which has now become a catch-all for the jumperoo, the wind-up swing, and the other objects she has already outgrown and I think what else can we possibly get her?
Maybe she's too young. Maybe when she can actually speak and begin to understand the concept of Christmas, my feelings will change. But as it stands right now, I look at all the bright colored toys strewn all over my living room, the puzzles, the music-makers, the boxes of new and hand-me-down clothes... Then I look in our spare bedroom which has now become a catch-all for the jumperoo, the wind-up swing, and the other objects she has already outgrown and I think what else can we possibly get her?
Where does the magic of Christmas really come from? Is it in the gifts? Is it trapped in our memories of childhood? Does it come from Jesus? Does Santa bring it? Does it exist in the faces of our children as we count down the days til the big night? I remember the magic of Christmas as a child. It was good and I long for it again. Back then (for me) it was about being a child. It was about the possibility of Santa Claus, it was about Christmas trees and snow, being out of school, and cookies.
What is it about now? Where does the magic come from now that I'm... old?
It's no big secret, in fact most people will tell you, Christmas is about Christ, and I want to believe that! I really want to believe that Christmas is the time of year when I celebrate the truth that God came down to Earth, reconciled us to Himself, and now I have peace in my heart and eternal life to look forward to! But do I? Do I celebrate THAT, or do I simply kick back by a roaring fire, count my blessings and then proceed to pamper myself and eat too much?
Do I even tell ONE person who might not have the gift of Christ the real reason for this season? Do I even try to share the gift of Jesus... with anyone?
There is NOTHING more important or valuable than the gift of salvation. Especially at Christmas, nothing I could ever give anyone even comes close to the gift Jesus offers them. I wonder if I offered the gift of Jesus this Holiday season, would I feel the magic return? Would I feel the excitement of watching the face of someone whose life just changed? Would I smile and feel the warmth of a regenerated heart because I introduced the gift-giver to someone who needed him?
This is the gift that I am commissioned to share with the world. How magical is this gift, how wonderful! The truth of this gift is worth telling... It's wonderful truth should echo from the rooftops!
"Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." Isaiah 12:6
"Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." Isaiah 12:6
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