The Greatest Gift of All
I was determined this year to keep my focus on the One who made this day famous. The One who started this celebration with His birth so long ago. The One whose name fills the title of this special day – Christ mas. I tried hard to not get caught up in the rush of shoppers…not get pushed into the fast lane headed to the malls…or fall for that tempting commercial telling me I had to have “it” or I would be unhappy.
All around distractions called to me like neon signs flashing on and off. Just going to the store for milk took my path through the sparkly isles of holiday must-haves and wanta- gets. It was easy to forget the milk and end up home with something shiny instead. But I tried, I really did.
I played Christmas music…not jingle bells, but real Christ centered music. I cut back on buying stuff – way back; so far back that my boys had weird looks on their faces when I told them (but my husband was happy). I tried to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the forefront of my mind and actions. I did not want another year of losing that precious baby in a pile of torn wrapping paper and empty boxes, as the “stuff” I replaced him with got unwrapped and packed into an already too full house, into lives already overflowing. Instead, I wanted a heart overflowing, thankful for Him.
It can be easy to miss The Gift amongst all the gifts. It’s easy to forget surrounded by decorations, lights, and holiday fanfare that God’s Gift didn’t come to a sparkly place, fancy decorated home or king’s palace. His Gift came to a stable. There was nothing special there but Christ (and he was not covered in glitter). He was the main attraction, the star. Nothing competed with Him in that simple place.
We don’t have to turn our homes into stables to keep the spot light on Him (though the children may like it) or recreate a manger. He seeks a different dwelling place…within our hearts.
Today as we celebrate Jesus, God’s Gift to us, I pray that everything will fade in comparison to Him. That He will be the star, the guest of honor at His party, and steal the show. He came to the manger to begin His journey to the cross; a sacrifice of love sent down on Christmas day for us. May our gifts to each other be in remembrance of Him, the greatest gift of all.
All good and perfect gifts come from above, coming down from the Father of Lights,
James 1:17
Have a Christ filled Christmas,
Charlotte
What a powerful message, Charlotte. I totally agree, we sometimes get distracted by the ‘glitter’ of the world. I too have to make it intentional to focus on Christ, but it is so worth it.
Thank you Charlotte, this IS a very powerful and much needed message. I agree with all you stated and tried hard in many of the same ways you did to keep Christ in Christmas. I did focus on Him and praise Him for His coming each and every day. I did make some changes in the area of giving. One close family member and I gave to Christian causes instead of giving to each other this year. That was a gift that will change a life, hopefully for eternity. There is much I could say here that needs changing though, even in the way I give my time for a good purpose. I think this was the first year I AGREED with my husband when he said, “you are trying to do too much.” Also, I do not have to accept every invitation that is extended! I think my “light” can be a bit “dim” if I am tired and stressed out. I will be praying for God’s wisdom about next year if I am here, Lord willing.
Melba
Melba, I love your agreement to give to charities instead of each other. What a wonderful way to give to Jesus…through giving to “the least of these.”