Thank you, Lord, for this day! May it be used for your glory!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Thursday update! Can you believe Christmas is only 9 days away! I can’t! Especially because I actually wrote this article another 9 days ago, haha!
This week’s update might be a bit rambly like last week. I might just give y’all another life update as we enter this hectic time of the year.
Actually, I just changed my mind. I had this thought yesterday and I figured I should share it.
It’s related to Christmas.
See, Tay and I (like many others) love Christmas! The tree, the cold nights (though we could do without the random 70 degree days), the Christmas movies, traditions like sleeping in the living room under the Christmas tree, giving gifts to loved ones, and of course all the Christmas candies and cookies!
None of those things are bad on their own. Yes, Christmas trees were supposedly a pagan ritual, but we don’t sit there and bow down and worship some evergreen god or whatever they did. It’s just a pretty thing to bring in the home where we can hang ornaments and be reminded of the wonderful things God has done in our lives.
However, all of those things can be bad if they take away from the true meaning of Christmas. It sounds so cliche for me to even say “the true meaning of Christmas.”
But it’s so true! Jesus was born!
God came down into this earth to dwell amongst humans, to live an entire life as a perfect and blameless human, to be beaten and nailed to a cross, to take on our sins as the ultimate priestly sacrifice, so that He can reign as our king, savior, and priest forevermore, sitting at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf!
That is what we celebrate! Jesus Christ was born!
I mean our entire calendar year is based on it. Whether people like it or not. Whether they change the meaning of BC and AD, 2021 means Jesus Christ was born 2021 years ago!
Wow, how this world has changed since then.
It got me thinking, though. Christmas is filled with love and joy from everyone! Christian and non-Christian alike. It is simply a joyful time of year. Christmas cheer and all of that. Of course, I guess some people are trying to cancel “Christ”mas and just call it Holidays to be all-inclusive.
On a side note, I do feel bad for all our brothers and sisters south of the equator. Things are just warming up for y’all, heading towards Spring and Summer. Yet all the Christmas festivities, movies, and cheer focus on a winter wonderland. Sorry guys, feel free to go surfing on Christmas and lounge at the beach!
All of this thinking has gotten me wondering, though. What if the devil is playing a trick on humanity by encouraging everyone to be jolly, celebrate, love each other, and give extravagant gifts on Christmas? All these wonderful things bring so much joy this time of year. If we aren’t careful, though, they can be a huge distraction. None of them are actually preaching the gospel by themselves. Joy, love, and peace are all fruits of the Holy Spirit, but are they if they aren’t attributed to God? If they are instead attributed to “it’s just that time of the year?”
I know. That was a bummer thought. It bums me out too. That isn’t my goal at all. I would never ever suggest getting rid of a Christmas tree. I mean we are sleeping under ours for a month!
What I am saying is let’s not forget what this time of year truly means. That Jesus Christ was born!
All those memories you reminisce as you hang ornaments, praise the Lord for them, as you look at the beautiful Christmas lights and displays, let it remind you of the Christmas star that led those shepherds to their king so many years ago and be filled with worship.
As we indulge in delicious treats and sweets, may it remind you and lead you to praise the Lord’s many blessings of joy and thanksgiving.
As we enjoy giving and receiving gifts, may we not lose sight of God’s greatest gift to humanity! Our savior was born!
And in that spirit, I say Merry Christmas!
Enjoy the week with family and praise for our God. I will be taking the week off of writing, myself, and we’ll pick back up the week after Christmas! Love you all!