Frosted windows, snow-covered trees, and twinkling lights.
That’s Christmas to most of us.
Across the world, even in many countries that don’t claim to be Christian, the Christmas ethos is firmly entrenched as a part of the common culture.
Japan is about festive trees in the shopping malls, Christmas markets, and LED lights, with none of the religious trappings, while many Western Jews, Hindus and Buddhists join in the gift-giving and celebrations.
Elsewhere, the focus is far from the bitter cold and snow many of us look forward to. In Australia, the holiday season is celebrated with exuberance at cookouts on the beach in summer wear, being the hottest part of the year.
If it seems we’ve gotten away from the message of the Savior born into a manger, it’s hard to disagree.
We must refocus. The reality is that we can’t do away with all the sparkles and glitter, the decorated trees, vibrant songs, and other accoutrements that have made Christmas into the holiday we’ve come to love. Those aspects of the season are too entrenched in the experience to cast them off completely.
Our duty is to find the core of the experience, the nugget of truth that grounds the season, the humanity in the holiday that Christ endeavored to offer to the world.
If we’re not sure how, we have a source of wisdom to guide us.
Read in James 1:5.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Now check under your tree. Touch all the gifts. Lift them, shake them, see which ones appeal most.
Then ask this question: What did Jesus offer to the world on that long-ago Christmas night?
That’s the wise gift, the one we should choose.
Jesus offered himself, his life for ours, 33 years on this earth to experience his humanity, so that his death on the cross could offer salvation to everyone who walked at his side.
We can still walk at his side. It’s our choice. It’s the best Christmas gift we can choose.
When we pick Jesus from under the tree, we’ve chosen the best gift of all.
Copyright © 2018 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.J.26.18a.vp.esv