Light of the World

Have you ever said something and immediately wanted to take it back?  No? Me neither! Ha, I wish!
So I’m driving, reflecting on our current state of affairs regarding his being locked out from his job, and I hear myself say to my husband. “Christmas is going to look a little different this year.” What did I just say?! Ok, so maybe because our financial situation is markedly different, our ritualistic gift buying and obnoxious spoiling of our kids will look different, but Christmas? Not even a chance. Christmas is an amazing season of awe and wonder. It’s a time of year when some who don’t know Jesus become curious, and some even go to church. I don’t doubt that many are saved because of it. But, Christmas in its stripped down original version is a combination of celebrating the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a completely Pagan winter festival, with lots of other ethnic traditions thrown in just for fun. It is beautiful and magical on every level.
But the awe and wonder that should be the forefront is this: that God sent His only Son to earth to live among us and to die by our hand as atonement for our sins. He rose from the dead, giving us eternal life.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:23-24
That is not magic, but the power of God. The fact that he is able to forgive our sinful nature and adopt us into His family is way bigger than magic. It is miraculous! No tree or decorations or pretty lights compare to the glory of His presence. So the way we celebrate this man made holiday will undoubtedly change based on our present situation (no pun intended!)However, the one true God we are celebrating does not change. He is solid, strong and mighty.
 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
 
The lights of the season pale in comparison to Light of the world. All the silver and gold, the tinsel and shine are nothing when held next to His heavenly glory.
So, go ahead and celebrate traditions with your family. But be careful not to allow the lines to blur. Jesus is holy and worthy of our praise daily. Christmas is a fun way to celebrate lots of things. But the way we do Christmas should never be in the same league as how we do God.
The bible warns of combining events like these. God knew that His message would become watered down as a result. As believers, we can revive the importance of God and of our need for a Savior to this fallen world. We need to be the salt and light, so that others don’t just get the diluted version of the Gospel. Be deliberate in all you do to show honor and glory to God.  God’s amazing grace covers us when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, fully surrendering to Him our entire being. So, obviously your salvation is not compromised if you exchange gifts. But I believe we should never let our guard down. Satan uses Christmas to win people to himself by feeding our insatiable need for more stuff; idolatry at its finest. Resist the temptation, and accept that Jesus is all you need.
 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
May God bless us all as we enter the “holiday” months.

We ask, Father, that you give us hearts of gratitude and mouths of praise for you are Holy and worthy. Amen