"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." -Luke 2:1-2
The story of Jesus's birth. The whole point of Christmas.
So why has Christmas become something completely different? Why is it that receiving presents, having the "perfect" family gathering and so on has become our mindset for Christmas. I personally have been struggling with this, due to personal family issues. We are so fixated on what the world tells us Christmas needs to look like, rather than what the word tells us. Christ didn't send his son so that we are greedy on what we receive from others. Nor did he send his son so that we could be so upset if our Christmas dinner was not up to par. He sent his son for you and I to wash us white as snow.
I am human. I get so fixated on the things that don't matter when it comes to the holidays. I get so upset when yet another year passes and the holidays are filled with more family drama. I know I am not alone in this. It hit me hard though last night...... WHY? I shouldn't be so upset because Christmas isn't about what the world wants us to believe. It's about Christ. Christmas is perfect if you don't have everyone there that you want, if the dinner is burnt, and even if you didn't receive a single gift..... as long as the focus is Christ. Let us not forget truly what Christmas is.
I pray for anyone struggling with the holidays. I pray that this will help remind you what we truly should be celebrating.
No comments:
Post a Comment