There is so much about Christmas that we fail to capture in a fewer scenario we have been through in life. One of my wish this year for us is that this season will bring us new insights into God’s fantastic love for us. It really makes no difference as to how that insight may come . . . be it through a child, from the word of God, as expressed by loved ones, from your personal encounters or maybe from others people’s experiences, or a new pattern of thinking. Maybe the best approach is to read and re-read the biblical account as though we had never read it before. We need to take a fresh look, perhaps reading it from a different translation. Whatever it takes, let it come alive again.
One of the secrets of happiness is to be in good terms with all persons. And as we celebrate the yuletide season, we don’t allow missing the real essence of Christmas. Missing the essence of Christmas is actually missing Jesus Christ who is the ultimate reason why we are celebrating this season.
There are many symbolic connotations about the celebration of the Christmas Season. There is this Christmas carol being sang everywhere, the Christmas parties which are being celebrated in schools before the Christmas break, Christmas décors not only in the homes but also in the offices, and even in different churches. Everyone seems to be so much excited that on the eve of the 24th until the 12th midnight almost everyone around the world are rejoicing with the flickering fireworks and until the wee hours in the morning, people remain awake . . . just having fun and bonding with the families and friends.
The angels made the birth announcement to the shepherds on the hillsides, “Peace, good will . . . “ And again, this year, the worldwide prospects for peace seem a bit remote. But that still doesn’t take away from the purpose of His coming . . . to bring peace into the living and lifestyle of all people and nations. Is there any difference yet we can make just to make a little leap from the conventional celebration we had been used to in the past?
Will there be peace that is long been desired by the people all over the world? Will people start to live in harmony with each other? We want to capture this feeling of peace at Christmas. So then, why does it wear off about few days following the celebration of His birth? Or why should it be forgotten by time after the yuletide is off season. And should we wait again for the next celebration of Christmas to be refreshed once more by the same message of hope and longing? Will this year be any different? Christmas is in step with some of the deepest longings of humanity. Christmas says we can change! This year, let’s allow the benefits of this season to be ours all year through.
When looking at the Christmas story, we are to think in terms of giving . . . Mary gave her body, Joseph gave her name and relationship, the shepherds came to give their time and service, the wise men came from a great distance with gifts . . . but most of all, the Heavenly Father gave a Son to this world so desperately in need of the Love, Grace, Mercy, and Happiness this special Son provided.
And what are we to give? I can’t answer it for you! It has to be personally perceived . . . As Corrie ten Boom said in these powerful and anointed words:
My Life is but a weaving, between God and me
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Oftentimes He weaveth sorrow, and I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why,
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver’s hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
This was a flashlight story of Corrie’s experience in the prisoner-of-war camp. She said that our life appears in a jumble. We can’t seem to figure out what is happening or why God allows certain circumstances into our lives. We can’t make it alone, we earnestly need an excellent engineer and architect . . . who is God! Let us allow God to work in and out of us this Yuletide Season! Let us dedicate the remaining days of the year 2010 to God and allow Him to work in our lives ahead.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
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