Thoughts on Christmas
If you’re not ready for Christmas, don’t worry. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Babies are born when they are born. Most often it is when everything is not ready yet. And no matter how much you prepare, a baby is always an unknown territory anyway. So if you find yourself in a situation that everything is not perfect, you’re celebrating Christmas the authentic way. Mary did not have much for Jesus either. So be merciful to yourself and concentrate on the essential.
The first Christmas was a very special event in the history of mankind. The holy night changed everything. Before that we were supposed to make ourselves fit for God. But as we know, we are incapable of doing that.
Jesus came to be the way for us.
Jesus came to die for us.
Jesus came to make us right with God.
The event was even prophesied thousands of years before the event. Here’s just a couple of them:
Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14, CEB)
A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
and authority will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be vast authority and endless peace
for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
establishing and sustaining it
with justice and righteousness
now and forever.
(Isaiah 9:6-7, CEB)
It’s quite amazing how all the prophecies have come true. This is one more reason to celebrate Christmas: We have a God who keeps his promises.
Just as all the promises of Jesus came true the first time, also the promises of Jesus’ second coming will one day come true. And there’s even more promises of Jesus’ second coming than of the first!
Hence we make room for Jesus in our hearts.
Hence we let Jesus be born in our hearts.
Hence we celebrate Christmas and the King of Kings.
As we noted earlier, babies come when their time is to come -whether we are ready or not. Jesus will also return the same way – whether we are ready or not. But because Jesus changed everything, we don’t need to worry about whether everything is ready for the event. If we have Jesus in our hearts, we have always everything we need – no matter how imperfect or unready we are. Hence we celebrate this Christmas and always. Come, Lord Jesus.
Gracious God,
Give us faith to hold on.
Give us grace to be readied for you.
Give us joy to celebrate you in the midst of unperfect situations.
Give us wisdom to concentrate what’s essential.
Give us love to share your loving-kindness with others.T
hank you for sending Jesus to us!
Thank you for all the prophecies.
May Christ be born in our hearts
every day of our lives.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen
Q4U: What are your thoughts on Christmas?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you celebrate Jesus today and always!
Image courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.