December 12, 2005

 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

--Luke 2:8-11

 

It’s a cycle every year. Stores begin hanging their Christmas decorations in November. Television commercials seek to convince all the boys and girls of the latest and greatest toy that they must be the first to have. Advertisements lure you into attending their greatest Christmas sale ever. Beloved Christmas tunes blare from the radio in your car for hours upon end. Before you know it, you’re circling the mall parking lot along with 25,000 other shoppers a week before the big day on a mission to find a parking spot that isn’t three miles from the front door.

 

The holiday season is filled with so many things to do and places to go, that it’s imperative to carry a daily planner just for the month of December in order to keep up with all the Christmas parties, banquets, baking, gift-wrapping, and family dinners, not to mention the church activities that fill the days of the month.

 

How many times have you experienced buyer’s regret, especially after Christmas? You pick out the perfect gift, and your plastic is flaming because you’ve used it so much, but you decide that it’s a must for this particular holiday to be perfect, so you buy it. After getting it gift-wrapped, which also costs you an extra fee, you take it home and put it under the tree only to say to yourself just a few hours later, “Why did I buy this?” Buyer’s regret - it happens to the best of us.

 

Among all of the jolly Santas, Christmas lights, and caroling, where does Christ usually fit in? For some, He is nothing more than another figurine to place in the living room on an end table next to Rudolph. For others, He is truly the reason to celebrate the season. Unfortunately for many, He is not even considered to be an integral part of the Christmas celebration.

 

The greatest gift in history given to the entire world was Jesus Christ. The greatest act of kindness and love was shown when God sent His only Son to live among man and die on a cross for our sins. We often get so caught up in commercial busyness, not just at Christmas, but all year round, that we forget the amazing gift God gave us on that glorious day. Do you want to get it right this Christmas and every day after that? Let’s continue to remember the reason we are to celebrate Christmas — the birth of God’s Son — and begin sharing the gift of salvation and hope we have through Christ with others.

 

GOD’S GREATEST GIFT TO MANKIND CAME IN THE FORM OF AN INFANT CHILD.