Thoughts are always running around in my head. Some of them are from me, some are the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention.
Some of them escape out of my mouth. I'm not always sure if I actually said them out loud or not, so I'm writing them down.
An angel appeared to Mary.
An angel appeared to Joseph.
An angel appeared to shepherds.
And again to Joseph.
Each time, "don't be afraid" were among the first words spoken.
"Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God." Luke 2:14
Sometimes you can read a passage a hundred times and miss something all together. I don't know if I've read the Christmas story a hundred times, but I've heard and read it a lot. And guess what? I still don't completely get it. Seems every year something new jumps off the page, keeping the Word of God alive. Have you read it lately? Go ahead. Read it. I'll wait here for you.
What struck me today as I read of the encounter between the angel, the heavenly host (or as some translations say, an angelic choir, many other angels, the armies of heaven) and the shepherds. Peace on earth for those who please God. I realize not every translation reads that way, but what a great reminder of how we should live. Want peace? Live your life to please him. How do we do that?
Shepherds doing what shepherds do. Minding their own business, really. When what to their wondering eyes should appear? Angels, of course, bringing good news - the gospel - to those who the world called the least worthy to be in the presence of royalty. Sent not to a palace, but to a lowly manger in a cave in Bethlehem to meet the King of kings and the Lord of lords. How would anyone believe it was true?
Jesus. He's the reason we celebrate. Or, at least that's what we say, sometimes to make ourselves feel better. I can say that because I've done it.
I've been observing a lot of people lately. (No, I'm not a stalker, just and observer. Hmm... I'm really not sure what the difference is, other than maybe the intent behind it. My intent is to learn, not to invade, so I think I'm OK.) Some are people I know and others are strangers in the store or in the post office or at the mall. I wonder as I watch them if they really get it. They throw the Jesus is the Reason in the middle of a conversation about stress, anxiety, not enough time, not enough money, stress, resentment, anger, stress. You get the idea. So I want to ask them...
Is Jesus the reason for the season when you are going in to debt buying gifts you can't afford?
Is Jesus the reason for the season while you stay up all night worrying about Aunt Belinda and whether or not she's going to like the sweater you bought her of if she'll know you bought it on sale?
Is Jesus the reason for the season when you have to buy the latest gadget for your kids because everyone else has one?
Is Jesus the reason for the season when you get depressed about spending another Christmas alone?
Is Jesus the reason for the season when are yelling at the checkout person at Walmart because they don't have the DVD you want?
Is Jesus the reason for the season when you're screaming at your kids because they have hit that last nerve?
Is Jesus the reason for the season while you are resenting the fact that no one is helping you decorate the house so it looks just perfect for your guests?
Is Jesus the reason for the season when you are too busy to slow down and worship Him?
Don't get me wrong here. There's nothing wrong with buying gifts (and getting a good deal), decorating, celebrating with family and friends. After all, we are called to be givers and we have been given so much. I just think we tend to separate the two too often. We should be allowing Jesus into those parts of our lives that stress us out so much during this season, and let Him guide us to the perfect gift... Himself. Then, everything else will just work out the way it works out and it will be OK.
What is your real reason for the season? And don't answer with words, answer with your actions. But don't tell me, tell Him. Tell Him that He's more important than all that other stuff, run after him instead of the greatest sale. And after you tell Him, show Him. It's not too late to simplify this Christmas.
Love came down. Take a minute to wrap your head around that and then respond.
If you have a minute, check out this great post from my beautiful and favorite niece, Ali. She gets it and inspires me to love better.
I saw this billboard the other day. After doing a little search, it's not a new billboard but I had never seen this particular one.
At first, I was like, hey - cool billboard. But then those thoughts started running around in my head. Questions like...
Does Jesus really care how I greet people this time of year? Yes! Isn't he more concerned about how I treat people? Yes! Do the words "Merry Christmas" appear in the Bible... anywhere? No!
I understand that it's important to keep Christ at the center of our celebrations this season, but shouldn't Christ be in the midst of everything we do, every day of the year?
I find it interesting the number of people I have heard or seen on Facebook who are complaining and sometimes even swearing because they have to say Happy Holidays at their workplace (though retail stores that have adapted this are often playing Christmas music and selling Christmas items, so I find it a little funny, but that's another post for another time). If we really are concerned about keeping Christ in the midst of the season, shouldn't we be responding in love? I think we can keep Christ in Christmas by reflecting His heart, mirroring His attitude, showing His love, and obeying His commands.
Rather than fighting to keep the words Merry Christmas, maybe we should be spending time in the Word aligning our hearts with His. For a lot of people, this time of year is very busy and quiet time with God can get easily pushed aside. Maybe what that billboard should say is, "I miss hearing you." ~Jesus
He wants to hear from us. He wants us to hear His voice. We can't do that if we're so busy trying to say Merry Christmas louder and louder until it drowns out the rest of the greetings. So slow down a little bit. Spend some time reflecting on His miraculous birth, but don't stop there. Remember why He came. Pray - He wants to hear from you today. And every day.
I don't know about you, but I heard a lot more stories about generosity this Christmas season than in years past. I think people have a greater appreciation for what they have, and a greater idea of those around them who have less - at least I'd like to think that.
My first thought when I woke up this morning was, OK... now what? Many people were given a special gift to help make their Christmas special, especially for the kids. But what about today? What about tomorrow? The same person who couldn't afford coats for their kids for yesterday may not be able to afford food today. The same person who wanted to bless their child with a toy to keep the magic of Christmas alive is the same person who can't supply their family with the basic necessities this week and next.
Just because Christmas is over, doesn't mean we can stop loving, stop giving, stop sharing, or stop caring. Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open and allow God to lead you to those in need.
I don't know about you, but it hasn't felt like Christmas this year. I've been struggling to grasp on to the Christmas spirit, fa la la, silent night, deck the halls, and I got nothin'. No warm fuzzies, no desire to decorate or to listen to Christmas carols, much less sing them, and don't get me started on the shopping. I just don't think all that is what I should be focused on anyway.
Don't get me wrong, I don't feel like Scrooge. I don't hate Christmas or the people who celebrate it - I want to be one of them. I don't want to be stingy - I want to give and give and give. I'm not Scrooge.
And I don't feel like the Grinch. I don't want to steal Christmas from anyone. I want everyone to feel blessed and loved at Christmas. I'm not the Grinch.
I do kind of feel like Charlie Brown... searching for meaning in a time when there seems to be so many distractions. His opening lines really sounded like my own thoughts as I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas this year...
To Linus: "I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel. I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed."
And later, to Lucy: "Actually, Lucy, my trouble is Christmas. I just don't understand it. Instead of feeling happy, I feel sort of let down."
The trees, the gifts, the food, the decorations - there's nothing wrong with these things. But they tend to get in the way of the reason we Celebrate. Somewhere along the way, we got God's priorities mixed up with our own. I'm pretty sure it happened in the garden. But a gracious, merciful God came up with a pretty bizarre plan to fix that.
Driving home today I heard a story that again, reminded me of me. All of the preparations are just getting to me. It's time to slow down, remember as Linus told us, what Christmas is about, and see Christmas through the eyes of God.
The poem, called "A Christmas Story", can be downloaded at the link below - either the text or the audio version.
“More blessed to give than to receive, This is what My own should believe. But give the gifts that I hold as treasure: Love, joy, kindness…and in good measure.”
“Now remember these words at this time of year; Don’t conform to this world and My voice you will hear.”
Just like Scrooge, the Grinch and Charlie Brown, I've had my attitude adjusted... I'm expecting great things from Him - and not worried about what anyone else thinks.
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