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The Essence of Christmas



Christmas offers the exciting opportunity to show children (and to remind ourselves) just how exciting Christ's birth was, and just how it seriously affects our future. If we are disassociating our best feelings and experiences with the climax of Christ's birth, it is our loss. In fact, it could be a strategy to steal from us the gift of memory.


"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10)


We must finally associate the joy of getting our favorite gift by surprise - even better than we anticipated, even bigger than we imagined - as a picture of God's ultimate gift. Moreover, the reunion of broken relationships and faraway family members whom we cry over and long for throughout the year is only a mirror of the reunion of Christ in us, giving us the abundant life we all craved.


“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)


Every time we taste ice cream, hear a symphony, take a hot bath, receive an unexpected present or get a warm hug, any time we drink in the smell of roses at a divine wedding or dance freely in rain with a friend, every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord. Yet He himself is the ultimate gift. The gift of Christ's presence becomes sweeter and sweeter the more you are with Him.


Pictures and mirrors are only reflections of the real thing. It is our privilege, especially at Christmastime, to connect this for every child, as well as to remind adults (as we are all just children grown up).


“Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.” (Joel 1:3)


If children think it is about what role they get in a school play, or if they start comparing gifts and getting lost in American wealth, that is the opposite of Christ’s gift of joy. He came specifically so we could experience complete satisfaction in Him.


Christmas is the essence of this "thrill of hope" we sing of. The very essence of natural beauty is enough to leave us in awe. Imagine its Creator.


"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." (Romans 1:20)


As the trees sparkle with stars and the earthy smell of pine sweeps you back to childhood, think of how the air was ablaze with majestic splendor the night its Creator came to earth. Reminding ourselves of beauty's sheer significance and symbolism guards us from the lie that God does not care and God is mean and harsh, mirroring an imperfect father figure, when that is the furthest from the truth. Some people do not know associate the joy Christmas with Christ because of this. But it is less impossible and more practical than you think to show them Christ's love, and you may already be doing it:“A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.” (Proverbs 18:16)


This Christmas, let us finally connect how gifts and cards and banquets and dances and feasts are all tastes of how much God loves us and sees us, and just how much celebration is ahead for those who have accepted the gift of Jesus. By doing so, we truly exemplify the essense of Christmas.


"my people will feast on my good gifts. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 31:14)


O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Your glory is higher than the heavens.

2 You have taught children and infants

to tell of your strength,

silencing your enemies

and all who oppose you.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—

the moon and the stars you set in place—

4what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6 You gave them charge of everything you made,

putting all things under their authority—

7 the flocks and the herds

and all the wild animals,

8the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,

and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Psalms 8

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