(Luke 2:11)
Christmas is less than 4 weeks away, and now is the time for the season to
get into full swing. Christmas parties, shopping, special events at church,
holiday programming on television, time with family....it is a very busy time
of the year for many. While we all know what this time of year is really
about, while we all know the catchy phrases like "Jesus is the reason for the
season," many of us get so wrapped up in all of the seasonal events that we
really do forget what it is all about. Singing "Silent Night" in a Christmas
Eve service puts our mind back on the birth of our Lord...for a moment...but
the way we have fallen into the world's celebration of this time has really
motivated me to use this time to challenge you as we enter into the heart of
the Christmas season.
The best advice I can give you is to again keep that close, intimate, daily
relationship with the Lord. Knowing Him in this personal way, having that
relationship fresh each and every day, can go a long way from keeping us from
falling into the holiday trap. Let me say right here, I AM NOT one of those
extreme people who believe Christmas is evil and we should not enjoy this
time of year. It is a wonderful time of the year for kids. It is a great
time for those of us who are older to reflect on Christmas past, see some of
the shows we enjoyed growing up, enjoy the joy that seems to dominate so many
lives this time of year. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. My
purpose today is to simply help you stay focused not just on the birth of
Christ, but WHY He came. He came to give you, and me, and everyone an
opportunity to be reunited with our God. His life was to be that perfect
sacrifice for the sin condition we were born into. He came to bring peace,
joy, and life to this world. Remember not just that He was born, but why
He was born.
This time of year, more than ever, people's hearts are at least open to what
this Jesus was all about. I have said here many times that your greatest
witness is not what you say but how you live. You will be around
schoolmates, coworkers, family members in some casual settings in the coming
weeks. Take advantage of those moments to share the love of Christ, your
personal relationship with Jesus. There is no greater season to witness than
the Christmas season. My challenge to you is that while you are busy with
the various things you will be doing in the coming weeks, don't forget to add
sharing Christ with others to that list. Hearts are never more open or more
receptive than during the Christmas season. This can be the greatest
Christmas ever in regard to allowing the Lord to use you to touch others for
Him. I want you to focus on that today. Pray about that today. Ask Him to
use you in the coming weeks to affect the lives of people you come across
that need more than anything this Christmas, a personal relationship with the
Lord.
I love you. I pray for you daily. I am praying today that this will be the
most blessed Holiday season of your life. More than anything, I am praying
that you will use these coming days to be a vessel God can use to reach
others with His love.
Be blessed today as we begin the busy Christmas season in earnest. Keep your
daily walk with the Lord first in your life. Never forget that He loves you,
cares about you, and wants to use you in a mighty way to fulfill His plan and
purpose for this world.
