Christmas...

Christmas Day is fast approaching. Are you done shopping? Yeah, right. We know that's not what Christmas is all about....but you wouldn't know it by looking around. Christians and non-Christians alike get sucked into the consumerism of the season. I've had to remind myself..."Its about Christ's coming to earth, not cash leaving our wallets. Its about a human bundle of joy, not an armful of presents. Its about the possibility of our redemption and salvation, not refunds and seasonal sales. Its about His life that would be given for us, not what gifts we are going to get this holiday season."

You might feel like you are flying through the season trying to make a safe landing on December 26th.... But try to stop and take some time this holiday season to reflect on the magnificent surprise of a newborn baby, lying in a manger, in a stable, in a small town near Jerusalem. What an odd combination of events our God chose to announce Himself to the world! No fanfare, just a feeding trough. No trumpets, just the timbers of the stables. No worldwide announcement, just some heavenly beings telling shepherds. No galleries full of the press, just stalls full of smelly animals. No business plan to put Jesus' name on a billboard on every corner, just a divine plan to write His name in our hearts. What an inexorable mystery our God has wrought! He came, in the fullness of time, as a baby... a small, dependent, needy little baby.

This Christmas, a phrase from a verse that's meant a lot to me is "For unto us, a Son is given..." How deep the Father's love for us, that He should give His only Son, the very Son of God, that we might become His children. What love He displays...Christmas love. What peace He brings us...Christmas peace. What joy we have in Him...Christmas joy.

If we don't get to tell you in person before you celebrate on the 25th, from each of us, have a peaceful holiday season and may you be filled with joy as you celebrate the gift of God's love - Jesus. Merry Christmas.