I've spent a lot of time this Christmas reminiscing over Christmas celebrations in the past and thinking about this Christmas. What has changed, what is the same and what is going to change yet in the future. A little like The Christmas Story I guess, however the focus is a bit different than trying to put my life in order like the character from the movie.
At service last week I began to think about Christmas past at my father’s church. Advent services were so very special to me. A week by week encounter with the meaning of Christmas and a building of anticipation as we approached Christmas and the true celebration of His birth. So much pomp and circumstance with lights, banners, choral performances, musicals, plays, children’s performances and so much more.
My father and mother painted a grand picture of the birth of Christ for us as children and truly instilled in us the importance of His birth and how it changed the course of mankind for all of eternity. Each evening we would sit around the advent wreath, light that weeks candle and read a portion of the scripture which approached His birth. The suspense was building, the anticipation was building, and the wonder and awe were building.
It wasn't about the Christmas gifts, truly it wasn't. It was so much about anticipating his first coming and ultimately His second coming. What a great time of awe and wonder and innocence. I heard a sermon today that in order to keep that awe and wonder, we must share with others the story and history behind our own understanding of Christ's birth and His return and by sharing and watching others discover the awe, we relive it and keep it alive.
My only concern here is do people really even want the awe and wonder. Have we become so enamored with our material things, our busy lifestyle and our earthly successes, that we have forgotten that we would have none of it without Him. We spend all Christmas season searching for gold, silver, lights, beauty, fun, fellowship, fulfillment, new gidgets and gadgets and the latest crazy geeks toy, that we miss that we already have the gift that we are meant to have that fulfills all of our needs, and we don't even realize it.
Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, who is more precious than all silver and gold, who will one day rule all heaven and earth. Why are we looking for gifts from others, when the greatest gift is already ours, free and non-returnable. Jesus Christ - the Greatest Gift of all time. Let us continue to search for him, to seek revelation about him and to await His return with anticipation and joy. Be Blessed this Christmas season as you await His return.
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