In the middle of all that is happening this year in our families, communities, churches, and nation I’m looking forward to Christmas more than ever. This year has been a whirlwind of uncertainty, we have seen people in good health die from a virus that we still struggle to get a handle on, we have seen a contested election, to the economy taking a nose dive, to chaos in the streets, governors and mayors acting like little dictators, to not being able to attend church on a regular bases or in some cases not at all due to the uncertainty, and being in many cases limited to watching our pastor preaching and teaching to us through social media platforms.
However,
the reality in midst of all this is I’m looking forward to Christmas!
I believe there are three things Christmas, especially
this year brings for me personally.
One,
it brings the assurance that Christ is alive and well. Born in the manager
over two thousand years ago, he a came to earth to assure me even in the midst
of Pandemic, Chaos in the streets, or who sits in the White House he is keeping
his promise to love me and provide for me.
Even when
anxiety for some is at an all-time high this time of the year, Christ loves me
and has promised to walk through the events I am facing with me and giving me
his peace and comfort if I’m willing to ask.
Two,
it brings me comfort in knowing how important family is. We all understand that Christmas celebrations
will be different this year. I believe that this Christmas will allow families
to slow down and focus on the real Reason for the Season together. Yes, there
will be presents exchanged, and dinner enjoyed, but it will be smaller for some
and allow for a more personal time of reflection.
Third,
it will bring us all to a point of Personal Reflection!
Everybody
must answer the question who is this Child is to me? You can go through life
acting as if you don’t care and that is your choice. However, the reality is God cares, and God
will hold us all accountable for the decisions we make. Over 2000 years ago God
was willing to send the Greatest Christmas Gift to the human race to live a
life that would 33 years later provide the greatest sacrifice at a place called
Calvary. As we celebrate this baby over the Christmas remember that this child
would later grow up to be the same man that gave his life on the cross for our sins.
It is
imperative that we understand that God only sent one gift entering heaven and
that was this Baby Christ Jesus that we celebrate on Christmas.
The
shepherds came to see him, the wise men sought him, the King Herod (the
government) tried to destroy him, and the world needed him.
To all
my family and friends around the world today, we have only two choices … to be
like the shepherds and wise men and seek him, find him, and worship him or we
can be like Herod and despise him, reject him, and suffer the consequence.
Please
take time this Christmas Season to reflect on the Bible’s account of the
event’s that transpired 200o years ago and seek to know HIM and worship HIM in
your personal life.
I
would like to wish you a Merry Christmas!
I
love you and praying that you and yours will be blessed beyond measure!