The shopping. The parties. The food. The hustle and bustle. It’s a wonder that we are able to keep up with the pace of everything that occurs between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But somewhere in all of that busyness, my heart wonders does any of this really matter? Which activities keep the focus on the true meaning of Christmas?
I love the Christmas song – "Give This Christmas Away" by Matthew West and Amy Grant. It may be unfamiliar to you, but it’s a great song that brings home the message that, throughout all of the craziness that the season brings, there are things we can do that can bring hope to those around us.
Christmas is the time of year that we remember the baby that was born in a manger - when God came down in human form to dwell among us. This fact should motivate us to be different - not just at Christmas - but every day of the year. That baby came so that every day of the year could be different for us.
Let us not miss any opportunities to share this baby with those around us. At this time of the year, people seem to be a bit more open to Jesus than at other times of the year. Have you noticed that some people seem a little bit friendlier? And that there seem to be more opportunities at this time of the year to reach out to your coworkers, friends, and neighbors? No other time of the year presents the numerous opportunities that are happening now. Invite someone to the Christmas Eve Service. Invite a teen to the youth lock-in. Take Christmas cookies to your neighbors. Invite a widow for Christmas dinner. Give a grocery gift card to the person on the corner (right down the street from GBC) holding a sign saying he’s lost his job and asking for help. Let’s not waste these opportunities that are all around us.
God gives us these moments of choice everyday – will we listen to what He’s saying to us in our hearts and obey? OR will we ignore Him by distracting ourselves with the many activities going on or by rationalizing why we can’t do what He’s asking of us?
We mustn’t be too busy that we don’t have time to listen to what God is saying to us. We may think that we’re doing the right things by running around and trying to find that perfect gift for our kids or spouse or by agreeing to host the annual Christmas party for the 10th year in a row, but see what God is saying to you. We need times of quiet and stillness with our Lord during this busy season to know how to spend the hours of our day and how to spend the money in our bank accounts.
Have you asked the Lord that recently? Have you asked Him to give you wisdom about how to spend your time and your money so that the choices you make this Christmas season have eternal significance? Make this Christmas mean something for eternity!!! Don’t miss the opportunities God gives to us every day to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
God bless you as you seek him each day and Merry Christmas!!!
~Angela Sutsakhan
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