Christmas has always held a special magic for me. As a young child I was one of those who would literally count the days from one month away, eagerly awaiting the 25th of December. I looked forward to new clothes and shoes, I looked forward to rice and chicken, and I looked forward to going to the amusement park, the zoo, or wherever my parents chose to take us. I remember one memorable year. I had worked myself up in a frenzy of excitement and anticipation. When the day finally came, I was unable to unwind and enjoy Christmas. About 4 pm, I started to sob quietly. When my Mom asked what was wrong, I said through sniffing and nose blowing “Christmas day is almost over!” She was beside herself; “You got new clothes and shoes, you have eaten to your hearts content, you even went out to have fun, what more do you want from Christmas?” At the time, I did not know the answer to her question. I could not explain what I yearned for; it was abstract. It seemed to me that Christmas held the promise of something greater than my young mind could grasp or unravel.
Fast forward some decades later,
I am a grown woman now. I willingly admit that Christmas is still the most
wonderful time of the year for me. I love the glow and the cheer. I love the
carols and bells that jingle. Above all these, I am enthralled by the ageless story
of God’s love. God’s love for man pulled so strongly at His heart, that He sent
Jesus Christ His Son, His only begotten Son; first to be born, and then to die
in our place, so we can be reconciled to the Father.
Christmas is as close as we can get to seeing God in human flesh. For a long time, God was abstract to man. The prophets spoke of Him but His people did not know Him. Jesus came to make God known. Personification is defined as the representation in human form of something abstract. JESUS IS GOD personified! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 ) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). In one of his conversations with His disciples, Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:8-9).
So if anyone asks you what Christmas is all about, tell them it’s the greatest story ever told; The birth of Jesus the Christ who came to give us peace with God. One challenging issue in many reconciliations is this; who is willing to take the initiative? God took the first step in this reconciliation; God came to man so that we might come to Him. Joy has come to the world, salvation and peace to all mankind. If you have received Him, spread the love and the cheer!
For many years, in keeping with the Christmas tradition, I had a tall tree standing in my house at Christmas, surrounded by gifts for the whole family. Sometime during this year, out of a zeal to clean house, the tree was disposed of. I find an interesting turn of events happening in my home this year. We used to get a Christmas wish list and requests from my children. This year they took the initiative of giving. Despite the absence of the tree, I have seen gifts and presents clustered in the living room, right where the tree used to stand. As a parent, it brings me joy to know that the spirit of Christmas has taken a hold of them. Oh! the blessedness of giving!!
For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year Ahead!
