Christmas

Here we are a week before Christmas! It’s a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. To many it’s a time of family gatherings, office parties, parades, concerts, visits to Santa, and the list goes on. Gift giving and holiday baking, decorating , wrapping presents, and shopping for the “perfect gift” can all become so consuming of our time that we miss the true meaning of the season.

It’s a time of year that can also lead to feelings of inadequacy, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. Not everyone has good memories of Christmases past or families that celebrate and gather to make happy memories.

So many people are hurting, often hiding that pain, and find themselves even more “lost ” and alone. This doesn’t mean they’re physically alone necessarily, but in their hearts and minds they’re alone. The hustle and bustle of the season seems to only add to the mixed emotions.

Remembering the true meaning of the season is the only way to be able to stay focused. The commercialism that has developed over the years has distorted our thoughts about the meaning and importance of the season.

We have a whole year to plan and prepare and yet most of us seem to wait until we end up feeling pressured and rushed to get it all done in time. We desperately try to get that “perfect” gift, make those “perfect ” Christmas cookies and candies, and fix that “perfect” meal for all to enjoy.

The truth is there is only one perfect gift and it’s the reason we have this season. The one and only perfect gift is Jesus. He came for us, to save us. To save us from this crazy world and to save us from ourselves.

As we enter this final week of preparation to celebrate His birth, let us remember that in the end no matter what food we prepare and what gifts we buy, it all means nothing without Him. Spend time this final week making precious memories and focusing on that sweet perfect little baby born in the manger so long ago. Read the story in the book of Luke, read the lyrics to the song below I recently heard sung by Anne Wilson, and just rejoice that Jesus came for us all, no matter who/what tried to stop Him.

I Still Believe in Christmas, Anne Wilson

The choir’s singing carols
Bells are ringing, streets are bright
It’s Christmas all around me
So why is Christmas hard to find
December snow is falling down
Like I am to my knees
I could use some hope right now
‘Cause right now hope is hard to see

Help me still believe

For God so loved this broken world
He sent His only son
To a carpenter and a teenage girl
To show us all His love
He left His home in heaven
To make heaven my home
My Emmanuel is with me
And I’ll never be alone
Down here my heart can’t find much to believe in
But I still believe in Christmas

I still believe in healing
For the weary and the hurt
And in a world that’s so divided
I still believe in peace on earth
I still believe that love is strong enough
To conquer hate
And in a world that won’t believe it
I still believe enough to say

For God so loved this broken world
He sent His only son
To a carpenter and a teenage girl
To show us all His love
He left His home in heaven
To make heaven my home
My Emmanuel is with me
And I’ll never be alone
Down here my heart can’t find much to believe in
But I still believe in Christmas
I still believe in Christmas

I still believe in Jesus
The name above all names
A Savior in a manger
And a star that leads the way
Help us all believe

For God so loved this broken world
He sent His only son
To a carpenter and a teenage girl
To show us all His love
He left His home in heaven
To make heaven my home
My Emmanuel is with me
And I’ll never be alone
Down here my heart can’t find much to believe in
But I still believe in Christmas
I still believe in Christmas

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!