Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When my kids were little… Christmas involved a big family traditional celebration. You know… Church programs, gifts for each child, cookie making, Christmas dinner and the list goes on. With 6 kids it was a big deal. When they were older we changed our family tradition to opening all Christmas presents on Christmas Eve beginning this event with their dad reading the Christmas story from the bible and then prayer. Christmas day was a birthday party for Jesus celebrated with a family dinner gathering. It was Jesus day!
Now that my 6 children are grown and living on their own…my husband and my tradition has changed once again. Our tradition now is a family dinner and a small amount of gift giving.
I have a new philosophy about Christmas now at my ripe old age of 62. I still think celebrating Christmas is a wonderful idea because Jesus was born and without His birthday we humans would not have had an opportunity to get right with our Holy God and have a chance for eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For Jesus
My focus has shifted now to celebrating Christmas throughout the year and this also includes Resurrection Day also. I have one focus now days and that is to be all God wants me to be every day. My focus is on pleasing Him and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Every day for me is celebrating the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I see my life these days as being all about my Triune Father God. Every day I look for some who needs encouragement or who needs Jesus. I’m also very grateful for my immediate family(husband and kids) and spend the other part of my time/life holding them close to my heart.
So I do celebrate the holidays but my focus is shifted. I’m not saying others should adopt my views…I’m just saying this is how I’m feeling at this time in my life.
Christmas without Jesus and Easter without Jesus is what?…………..
Jesus is every day …all day and all night. He is to be celebrated and praised 24/7.
There is one tradition that Jesus commanded us to celebrate and that is Holy Communion. I do that often whether at church or at home. Jesus felt that His death, resurrection and His sacrifice is important and I’m sensitive in what’s important to Jesus.
If the true meaning of Christmas has gotten a little away from you….you can put the focus back on Jesus. Think of a new tradition to incorporate more of Jesus into your Christmas celebration. See where you can tone down the commercialism and bump up the giving to others and keeping more of a biblical view of Jesus birth.
Heavenly Father,
We humble ourselves before you and thank you for sending your precious Son Jesus so that we can be in a right place with you. God…we thank you for all the love you’ve shown us. Lord as we celebrate the birth of your Son….please know that we worship and praise your Son Jesus for all the love He’s bestowed on us by sacrificing His own life for us. I pray for those who have lost loved ones and miss them so much during this Christmas season. I pray for those struggling financially and won’t have much during this time. I pray for those who are sick and for those who are suffering from depression during this season. I pray for those who need a Savior. I pray that as this year closes out that there is still time left for people to spread your love and let their light shine for you. Thank you for all the grace and mercy you’ve extended to us this year. Father God we give you all the praise, honor and Glory that you deserve and we ask these things in Jesus name….Amen.
I wish and pray for all my blog followers to have a very happy and safe Christmas! I love you guys!
Mathew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Look for my annual New Year’s message.
God Speaks I Listen 