Sunday, December 16, 2012

4 ways to share the Gift this Christmas



For those of you who read my last post, I thought I would add to it a little bit. Because, now we know where our focus should be this Christmas, we may stop and scratch our heads and say, “Now what?”. 

And that’s what this post is about.

Like I said earlier, there is *so* much emphasis on the material things, and it’s part of our sinful nature to be greedy, especially at this time of year. To clarify, I am NOT thumbs-downing Christmas presents or hot chocolate or festivities or family gatherings. They are blessings from the Lord! And we should accept them. But I just want to point out the area where we often stumble, and what we can do to get back up again. Our souls suffocate with the busy-ness, and it’s then we realize that Christmas presents are great, but honestly, there’s something still missing. We can’t be content without Christ, without the Living Water, without the Breath of Life. He is the only One in whom we can be fully satisfied.

So when we look to Him Christmas Day, every day, every week, every moment…we can finally inhale that same breath that Christ exhaled in His Last. Because in His Death, we live.

And living is a gift from God.


1) Read a portion of the Christmas Story every day

One of the best ways to keep Christ in Christmas to to read and reread the Real Story every morning with your cup of coffee quietly to yourself, or, even better, you can do this with your family, after those long, hard days, come together and fall on your knees before the manger in awe and worship. When you surround your heart with the true Message of Christmas, you will more likely put it at the center, and your mind will be fresh with the memory of that night a Star led three men to the King of kings, and that ordinary girl who carried the Gift in her womb.

2) Encourage young children to give a “special gift” to Jesus for His birthday– one that only they and Christ know about

It could be spending more time talking to Him, showing love and kindness to a new friend at school, or trying harder to include another sibling. Or, you could even do this yourself. Pour your heart to Him, thank Him, love Him, and pray on anything that’s on your heart this December. Another mother carrying a baby? A person who’s sick? For someone to draw closer to God? Traveling mercies?

Really, it can be anything.

He would love to talk to you. :)

3) Respond to those sad, weary souls who work long hours before the cash register, with a smile and a “Merry Christmas”

One thing I’ve noticed more and more these days, is the lack of joy during Christmas. The cashier usually hands you your receipt, and mumbles a “Have a good day” or “Happy Holidays”.

But here’s where you step in.

You show them the same love that Jesus had when He died on the Cross. And don’t answer with “Happy Holidays”. Because, I think, if you wish someone a “Merry Christmas”, it’s another way to literally bring Christ into Christmas.

4) Start Christmas morning by thanking Him for relinquishing His Crown, and His Glory, to take on human flesh and die for our scarlet sins.
     
 Before you race down the stairs and take a flying leap into the presents under the tree, you should, again, pray to Him, because HE is what Christmas is about.
And He is the best Christmas gift you could ever have.


*** (excerpted from “Focus on the Family”, with my modifications and expansions)

Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Gift



Christmas.

That time of year for stockings and ornaments and last-minute shopping and snuggling deep into soft couches and sipping warm things and the sound of Christmas music and laughter sweet. And then there’s that feeling of overwhelming joy and peace that you usually don’t feel any other time of the year. Even non-believers can’t deny that.

So we eagerly write lists of things we want for Christmas.

And even in the midst of all the decorating, and smell of fir, and gift-giving, and memories, my soul can’t breathe.

My soul just can’t breathe.

And I wonder at this. Why can’t I feel the fullness of joy and peace during the Christmas season?
Then I hear the gentle, quiet voice of my conscience, “Because you’ve wrapped Christmas in the suffocating bundle of your selfishness.”

I stand there, in shock. My selfishness?

The reality of this sets in.

And I am blown away by these words.

My blind eyes open wide, as I realize what I have been doing.

That I’ve been robbing Christ of the glory this Christmas, by taking Him out and not letting Him be the heart of it.

Oh, how my sin reeks. And I am so weak. And I really just feel so lost, groping in the dark for something to hold on to, as this massive wave of guilt floods around me and chokes me.

I realize that this is another sin that made Him hang heavier on the Cross.

And there’s nothing I can do about it. I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and there is nothing I can do about it. I can’t be perfect.

Trust me, I’ve tried. But I can’t. All I can do is pray that, oh, God, will You forgive me, and why must you always shower me and overwhelm me with that amazing grace I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around?

My soul cries out to Him for help as I stumble through the dark. And I find His feet again and begin to cry. But what He does? He doesn’t beat me or hurt me or yell at me, but He reprimands me (Hebrews 12:5&6), then He cups my face in those nail-pierced hands, and says to this broken girl, “Go, and sin no more.”


Oh, how I love Him. And, oh, how undeserving am I of His unfailing grace and love!

I just want to encourage you, this Christmas, to focus on what really matters. Christmas isn’t about the presents, the family time, or even the act of giving itself. (Charlie Brown knew that much.)
But it is about The Gift. The One who came down from heaven and was born as a baby in a manger in order to be bruised, beaten, and crucified. This is the meaning of Christmas.

And my soul can breathe again. Because the truth sets me free.*