Happy Birthday Jesus!

Merry Christmas to you all! I’ve mentioned before how this year has been very involved and a time of extreme change. However, one thing has remained the same – Jesus (Heb 13:8)). He has been there throughout the year, interceding for me and keeping me. Thank the Good Lord, He will never leave nor forsake me (Heb 13:5) and because I’m His, He will never lose me (John 6:39). That is especially important to remember now when it’s so busy and we are so easily distracted by the things around us and the things that have happened throughout the year. 

So many have experienced joy, hope, love, loss, and pain – the full gambit of emotions, but still God has kept us. He has been the constant when we were feeling whatever it was we were feeling. Even when we knew He was working it out for our good, we still felt what we felt. But regardless of our feelings, He is still God and Jesus is still our savior. He is the gift who keeps on giving, and it’s only right that we celebrate Him during this season, even if it’s hard. Jesus IS the reason for the season. 

As I thought about the past several weeks, I’ve had to ask myself a few questions which I’ll pose to you. Has your Christmas been consumed by the holiday rush and the commercialism of Christmas? Have you been busily working to earn enough for the video game or bike or cell phone someone was asking for this year? Have you been focused on finding the right gift? Or have you been focused on The Gift? This year, I’ve tried to be more intentional, but I’ve still found myself caught up in the commotion and motions of the holiday, sometimes allowing myself to forget how important The Gift is. 

When God gave Jesus to the world that first Christmas, He did so knowing His son was being born to die…..for me and for you. Even though He knew what His Son would suffer through (the denial, the rejection, the betrayal, the adversity, etc.) before being nailed to a cross, God still gave us His Son. We were His enemy and still He loved us enough to sacrifice His son for us (John 3:16). Who would you sacrifice your child for? For that matter your pet for? Anyone? 

Think about that for a moment. Jesus had been with His Father from the beginning, living outside time, and He was willing to leave Heaven to come to Earth to suffer and die…….for us (1 Tim 1:15). He was separated from the Father He’d been with for eternity (Col 1:17). Who does that? God the Son because He understood that He was our only option. There was nothing we could do for ourselves – we didn’t have a voice or any way out, but He came to take on our shame and our sin and our penalty and give us His righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). 

Celebrating Christmas is so much more than opening presents and celebrating with family and friends. It’s about Jesus and praising God for His Goodness and His rich love for us. Don’t ever forget how important it was for our lives that Jesus was born. Without His birth, there would be no life (Rom 6:23). So I have one final question for you – since we’re celebrating His birthday, what is your gift to Him? When you think about all He’s done for you, what do you have to give? If you haven’t already, think about giving Him you. He came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). You have an opportunity to be found – take it. 

I pray that you experience Jesus in a whole new way that transforms your life. May your life be filled with the love, joy, and peace that only He can bring and may you be blessed beyond measure.