The Advent, or Christmas season, is such a special time of year. A time to enjoy life with friends and family. A time to enjoy heart felt movies, beautiful decorations, wonderful desserts, parties, and in my circles, the rarely eaten, but delicious"tamale" often makes its appearance. And though I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas music, it is nice to see people singing with joy and hear Christmas carols throughout malls and department stores, you'll even catch me humming a tune or two (with the Beatles "Wonderful Christmas Time" the exception).
A treat I have at this point in life is having 3 young children under the age of 5. I love to see them enjoy the season and anticipate Christmas morning and everything that's in store for them. I love to show them the shows and movies I watched as a child, which to my disappointment sometimes fall flat. Hey, "Charlie Browns Christmas" was a riot when I was a kid, heck it still is as an adult. I mean who doesn't like Snoopy winning 1st place for the best decorated dog house? Then there is the time I spend with my wife. Me and my wife often enjoy fresh and new date nights this time of year, going to parties and restaurants has a little something special in them.
Then there is the presents. Being an adult the presents is more about the kids, but I do enjoy getting my wife a little something. And to be totally honest I do sometimes treat myself to something, in the spirit of spending money. My family is not very materialistic (thank God), but we do enjoy buying and opening up something fun to play with on Christmas day. Well the kids play, dad is probably putting together what they play with, mom is probably making something to eat and picking up wrapping paper.
With all of that to enjoy, who could ask for anything more?
Well, see that is the thing about God, though He has blessed us with temporal things to enjoy, He has indeed blessed us with so much more. He blessed us with His Son, the gift of a King. In Genesis 12:3 God tells Abraham that through him ALL the families of the earth would be blessed. The ALL refers to all nations, all races, and all kinds of people. But how can this happen when we are not blood descendents of Abraham? Matthew chapter 1 tells us the genealogy of Jesus, and that He was a descendant of Abraham. So this is where the ALL comes from, through Jesus all families have been blessed. Look at Ephesians 2:11-13
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is
called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ
This verse tells us that though we were not blood descendents, being referred to as Gentiles, we have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ. So it is through Christ we have been included, and now, we are able to be called blessed.
I think of how hard this time of year is on people. Many people feel alone, or neglected. This is a tough time for those who have lost a loved one, or for those who feel less fortunate than others. It might be the first Christmas without someone close, or it might be not being able to give the best gifts to your children. I encourage you in this time to remember who you are. Remember the blessing you possess. This blessing is more than money can buy. If you have Jesus, you have been called blessed by the almighty God. He has greater things prepared for you. Things that relationships, money, or temporal joy can never compare to. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
So when we think of Christmas, it is much more than a birthday. It is a time to remember "Immanuel", God with us (Matthew 1:23). A time to remember that over 2,000 years ago God broke open the heavens and came to dwell among us in the flesh. I can only imagine the shepherds and the Magi traveling a great distance. What was the reason for these great journeys? Were they for traveling and bringing gifts to witness the birth of some king, or some prophet? No, there travels were to witness "Immanuel", this was the promise, this was what had been spoken of (Isaiah 7:14), God was finally "with us".
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of a son, but not just any son. This is the Son of the Living God, that whosoever believes on Him should not parish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Many people celebrate Christmas and enjoy the temporal - the presents, the fun, the parties, the songs. What can make these things more enjoyable? It's when we see these things things as only a shadow of the real gift. The real gift came to be born, not just to live, but to die. And for that, we are forever blessed with this gift - a gift that keeps on giving.
