I am so thankful for this season of the year! A time which is literally consumed by physical darkness in some parts of the world due to the shorter days is brightened by the holidays. I am thankful for the generous spirit this season brings out in people by giving gifts to those we love and those in need.
Celebrating Christmas brings joy to many people. It also brings sorrow to many people. The contrasts of loneliness, broken relationships and living in a constant state of lack is emphasized in comparison to the happiness expected by the holidays.
In my life, whether during the holidays or any other day of the year, Christmas is not really a holiday, Christmas is a fact. Though our family certainly enjoys the pleasures of the tree and lights and pretty presents, that is not Christmas. Christmas is knowing that God came to earth to suffer among His creation, teach them how to live together and offer them gracious reconciliation.
The joys of the holidays are wonderful ways to celebrate this knowledge, if you feel like celebrating. If your spirit is not in the mood to celebrate, the fact of the season does not change. God created you and loves you. He loves you so much that in an effort to work out the brokenness in our earthly lives once and for all He gave up part of Himself. Now He is waiting for each of us to accept His invitation into a life of peace and abundance on this earth, something that does not even make sense to us most of the time, but it is very real! An even greater piece of the invitation includes life after death in His presence where there is never any sorrow or hurt again, only joy and love and light.
Today as you experience Christmas, in joy or sorrow, may you respond in some way to the invitation that God has issued. It is the gift that we recognize this time each year of the birth of His Son who would eventually offer the ultimate gift in His death, victory over evil and new life! He is now preparing the party in Heaven where He longs for us to join Him some day!
Praise God that our true well being is not dependent on everything out of our control that happens around us! Praise God that we do have a choice we can control for our peace in this life, and life after this, by simply accepting His invitation today, and following Him one day at a time!
Praying that you find peace in Christ today and every day!
"For God so love the world that He sent is only Son so whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
