Well, Thanksgiving is over… what now? Christmas! It’s right around the corner. Today was “Black Friday”. But, I have to admit, I’ve never been one of “those people” that gets caught up in the hype of waking up at 2:00am, fighting hundreds of other shoppers to the department store, freezing in line for 30 minutes or more while you wait for locked doors to be open - only to get to that one aisle where your particular item should be lining the shelves and discover… they are already completely sold out!
To so many people, Christmas is about finding that perfect gift… or maybe about decorating your home in just the right way. I can understand wanting to make Christmas special – especially if you have small children in your life. But, my personal opinion is this… if you really want Christmas to be special – remember the reason for the holiday.
Before we open gifts on Christmas morning we read about the birth of Jesus from the Book of Luke in the Bible. We’ve done this for years – it’s a wonderful tradition that I hold very close to my heart. The story follows:
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
So, I guess if you really think about it, Thanksgiving isn’t over at all, is it? Christmas and what it represents is a magnificent thing, and I’m incredible thankful!
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