So we have come to this day. One that so many of us look forward to. This was always my favorite time of the year. As a child I eagerly anticipated Christmas day. We did not get presents. Mom could not afford that. What we got were luscious meals. Chief among the food was mom’s signature fruit cake.  For several months fruits would be soaked in red wine. A week before Christmas the house would be filled with the aroma of these cakes being baked.

As good as the cakes were two highlights of the day were my absolute favorite. The first was the gathering of the family to partake in mom’s meal. Throughout the year we may have been too busy to gather together but not this time. Everything was put aside to gather together.

The next highlight was the Christmas celebration at church. Of course yours truly would be actively involved in the program. Months of rehearsal would come down to this one moment. A few minutes of telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in songs, poetry, dance, skit and a brief message of hope.

As I continued to participate year after year, I became more and more conscious of the real reason for the season. It wasn’t the songs that bombarded the airways. It wasn’t the presents being exchanged. It wasn’t the Christmas cantata, play or concert.  It sure wasn’t Santa Claus. He never factored in the equation. It wasn’t the usual Christmas movies. It was all about Jesus. It was all about why He was born. More and more that is most important to me.

In the past, failure to understand the reason we acknowledge this day would leave me feeling sad, anxious and frustrated. You see, I would compare myself with other children. I saw them receiving gifts and desired that. I wanted the toys, the gifts and the wonderful things they had.

Thankfully with maturity came a change in focus. My focus shifted from the trivial. Appreciation of what the Lord Jesus did for us freed me from the anxieties of the moment. I became thankful for Jesus. Thankful that He would leave his glorious Kingdom and sojourn to this earth. For the simple reason of sacrificing himself to save us from our sins. Just thinking about that makes my heart full.

Thank you Jesus! Thank you for coming to dwell among us. Thank you for being the example which we may follow.

May Jesus be more real to you than any adversity you face. May Jesus become your everything. He is a good God. We thank God for saving us from our sins.

May His glory be seen in you.  A blessed Christmas to you.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.