What is Your Focus this Christmas?
What will occupy your thoughts, drive your decisions, determine your schedule and dominate your days as we celebrate Christmas? The retailers remind us in various ways that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” but all too often, even though our desire is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, the traditions of the holiday get in the way. Too often, after the celebration is over, we find ourselves exhausted and frustrated simply because we lost our focus.
Even before Halloween we now see the Christmas decorations being displayed. All the sparkle and lights, red and green are beautiful, but does the glamor and glitter cloud the vision of a night sky filled with angels singing praises to God and declaring the good news of the birth of our Savior?
I confess that making candies and cookies occupy a lot of my time before the holiday. The busyness of cooking and baking can become overwhelming and our focus may shift to pleasing our palate rather than feasting on the Bread of Life.
Shopping becomes more difficult each year as we try to find just the right gift for those on our list. It has become a real challenge to discover something that won’t end up in the “exchange” pile the day after Christmas or as a “White Elephant” in next year’s Christmas party. Are we focused on the material gifts to the exclusion of the greatest gift that we can give?
One tradition that is very special to our family is The Nativity. When my children were very young, they built a simple manger out of some left-over fence wood. On Christmas Eve, we dressed as shepherds and the five of us and our little dog stood quietly in our yard over the manger as soft Christmas music played. Cars drove by slowly and several neighbors walked by joining us in this special time of worship. Through the years we have added spouses of our children, in-laws and grandchildren. This will be the 31st year that we will continue this special family tradition. Many neighbors tell us that coming to worship with us has become one of their family traditions as well.
A gift is not something we earn or even deserve. It is offered freely by the giver. The gift of Christmas is salvation – victory over the sin that separates us from God. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT) we read, … this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.
When you discover a great sale, receive an unexpected gift, or hear really good news, what is the natural thing you want to do? You want to tell someone. Why are we reluctant to share the best news and the greatest gift we have ever received? The good news that we have peace and an eternal home in heaven through the gift of salvation!
Although our loving, serving and compassionate behavior toward everyone around us will reveal Jesus in and through us, I fear that many times we use this as an excuse. The lost may see and acknowledge that we are a reflection of Jesus, but Romans 10:14,17 (NLT) tells us, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” So, faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” We are called to know Jesus and to make Him known. So, tell someone!
If you are willing, God will equip you. He will strategically place people in your path who want to hear God’s message of love, hope and peace. Remember, God will not force you to share your faith, but He will prompt you. And when He does, if you take a step of faith, He will empower you and use you. Your willingness to share the Gospel may make an eternal difference in that person’s life.
In John 14:27, Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” The life transforming perfect peace Jesus promised will fill your heart, mind and spirit as you keep focused on Him, not only this Christmas season but throughout every day of the year.
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 24:20 (NLT)
Powerful message, Carol. You are right; we too get distracted by the preparing of celebrating Jesus’ birth. May we be open to His prompting to share the Good News.
And when we share, we often find hungry hearts for the message.
Thank you for reminding us.
Carol,
I love the image of your family dressed as shepherds standing around your manger scene. That’s a beautiful tradition.