The Reason For the Season

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Snow blankets the earth in pure white... delicate snowflakes fall gently, giving the air a peaceful feeling... an imposing house stands at the end of the long, winding driveway... inside, all is warm and toasty from the fire emanating from the wood stove... the heavenly aroma of sugar cookies, bread and baking pies fills the air... christmas decor is diffused festively throughout the house.. Christmas music plays, causing everyone to burst forth in merry tunes... members of the family are found hither and yon, engaged in a secret work, or found with wrapping paper and bows... preparing gifts of love for those most dear... all around is warmth and cheer... But is this everything there is to Christmas? A time to give gifts to those we love, to decorate our homes, play christmas music, and fill ourselves with a host of different varieties of pies and cookies? Or is there something missing in this most cheery and picturesque setting? What is the real reason for the season?

4,000 years ago, Jesus, the King of Heaven and the Creator of this world came down to this sinful, wicked earth as a tiny baby so that He might redeem fallen man back with the price of His own precious blood. Jesus gave His life, His all - Jesus couldn’t have given us more! He laid down his life, the inestimable gift, that we might have eternal life. Now in light of this, on December 25, the day we remember Jesus’ birth, what can we give to Him?

We must be reminded that our loving heavenly Friend suffered death that we might have eternal life! While we are preparing gifts of love to those most dear, would not Jesus be pleased if we show that we haven’t forgotten Him? What gift would be enough to return thanks to what our Savior has done for us?

Especially during this holiday season, let us make a make melody to God in our hearts, and let His praise be ever on our lips. Everywhere we look, we see the blessings of a father’s loving hand. God’s love is written everywhere in nature - from the tiny flower that opens, the little bird that sings, to the majestic mountains. Everything we have we owe to God, and it is through Christ that we receive every blessing. We need to thank him over and over for all He has given! And when one begins to praise God in song, others cannot help but join in - its contagious! Let us all give thanks for the priceless gift of Jesus!

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” During the holiday season, there are those that aren’t as blessed with as much joy in life as others are. Go to the bread line, the homeless shelter, the orphanage, the nursing home, and bring the love and joy of Jesus into their life. Share a smile with a person in need of comfort. Lift a struggling person’s burden with a precious Bible promise. Give a hug of encouragement and a word of kindly cheer to one bending under a load of care. All these things, however small and seemingly unnoticeable, do not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father and friend. It is love and compassion that our Savior longs us to share, so lets show the world that we care. We need to remember that, whatever we do to the least of these, we have done it as unto Jesus. What a thought! When we serve others here below, it is as if we are serving Jesus! Such a privilege is ours!!

But most of all, Jesus longs for us to give Him our hearts. {Prov. 23:26} And not just part of our heart, but our all. “He asks your affections; give them to Him. They are His own. He asks your time, moment by moment; give it to Him. It is His own. He asks your intellect; give it to Him. It is His own. . . .” {OHC p 42} More than anything Jesus wants YOU - surrender your heart to Him, if you haven’t already. Give Him your heart, your all, your talents, your time - Jesus longs to spend time with His child. He gave you all you have, and all you are, and ever hope to be. Don’t wait a moment - Won’t you surrender your all to Him today?

So, during this Christmas season, as we prepare gifts for those most dear, and all around is warmth and cheer, forget not Jesus, to whom we owe our all. Remember that, when we give first to Jesus, then to Others, and finally Yourself last, it creates true, matchless JOY. And always, in whatever situation or place we are, lets remember to praise God from whom all blessings flow!! And we’re not only to live for Jesus during the holiday seasons, but all the year round! Then and only then will we find the unspeakable, incomparable joy of living for and loving Jesus!!

Have a Very Blessed and Merry Christmas Everyone!!