Unwrap the True Gift this Christmas

I was shopping in a store recently and saw a pile of stunningly wrapped presents. Glimmering with wrapping paper and gold bows the gifts looked splendid. They were organized beautifully under a Christmas tree with all the colors of Christmas on full display. They were so appealing that my daughter Lydia couldn’t help but pick one up and shake it! Nothing rattled inside but air. The box was light and empty. The boxes contained all of the fanfare and charm of Christmas but inside they had no value and meaning. 

In numerous ways these presents represent what Christmas is for many today. Christmas trees, cookies, lights, manager scenes, cards, programs and carols…. But sometimes we miss the point. Sometimes all of that masks the true meaning of Christmas. Sometimes we aren’t able to find inside of us the vibrant, life changing gift of Immanuel, God with us. That’s the true gift of Christmas.  

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas be reminded this year to do these 3 things:

Pause

At the first Christmas there wasn’t room for Jesus at the Inn. (Luke 2) Don’t let the same be true this year. Pausing is so simple but so tough during a season of activity and celebration. Set limitations, reserve time, carve out space to break from the commotion of the season and be motionless before the Lord. The problem isn’t that you don’t have room for Jesus, it’s that you haven’t made room for Jesus. Pause and give Jesus the room this year to reveal to you the beauty and significance of the season.  

Reflect

Reflect on what Christmas is about:

• Christmas is about giving. John 3:16 says God gave His only Son for all to have eternal life. Christmas remembers Jesus’s birth – the greatest gift ever given. Any gift we give in love is a reflection of our Creator who first gave to us. 
• Christmas is about loved ones. Family is important to God. God gave Jesus a mother and father who raised Him and loved Him. Celebrating the value of family and friendship at Christmas time is a reflection of that first Christmas night when Jesus came to the earth.
• Christmas is about kindness. Ephesians 4:32 talks about being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving to one another. Christmas is a season of caring, serving, remembering and loving others like Jesus loved us. 
•  Christmas is about Jesus. We see Jesus everywhere on Christmas – on wrapping paper, in cards, and in Christmas carols but don’t miss the true meaning of it all. Reflect on the truth that Jesus was given as the Savior of the world. God in flesh as Immanuel and King! 

 Wonder

Be in awe of Jesus this Christmas. Read Luke 2 and wonder about the angels who filled the sky with song. Wonder about the star that radiated brilliant light in the heavens. Wonder about the moment the shepherds were blinded by the glory of the Lord around them. Wonder about the magi from the east – who were no doubt respected leaders – following a star to kneel down and worship a baby. Wonder about the virgin birth or the celebration in the stable that evening. Simply, wonder, be in awe and worship Jesus.  

Make the gift meaningful

Try something different this year. Take a pause, and intentionally spend time reflecting in reverence and wonder. Don’t let the miracle of the real Christmas story slip away this season. The gift of Christmas is more than a fancy box with a gold bow with nothing inside. The gift of Christmas is life, love and eternity. Go to your Christmas parties and enjoy an extra cup of hot cocoa, but don’t forget to worship and include the King of Kings, Immanuel God with us, this Christmas season.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/12/19/what-is-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/

https://www.boundless.org/faith/rekindle-the-wonder-of-christmas/

https://www.pursuegod.org/the-innkeeper-the-story-of-christmas-from-the-people-who-were-actually-there-4/