The Wonder of ChristmasExemplo

The First Gift Of Christmas!

As we approach each Christmas season, it becomes more evident that the world we live in has a completely different reason for an idea of Christmas. From the commercials, to the shopping mall decorations, to the yearly hot toy or gadget items that everyone says you’ve just got to have, it seems that everywhere we turn is devoid of the truth of Christmas. I'm not attempting to be cynical but it seems that Christmas gets more watered down every year - sometimes even in our churches!

For many, Christmas becomes merely a time to exchange gifts - as many as possible. Or for others it becomes a time of year to share good tidings/do good deeds (not that there's anything wrong with that), as if they shouldn’t all year through.

Unfortunately for some it becomes a competition regarding how many gifts a person receives. The number of gifts to them equates to how great or how bad their Christmas was or wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, receiving and giving presents is a real blessing but I wonder how much is too much when it comes down to it. 

The same can be said about how much we decorate or indulge in the name of “Christmas”. These things can be a lot of fun and with the right focus can make things memorable as long as we don’t lose sight of the truth of Christmas. There are so many things that can be trappings of the season or blessings depending on whose hands they’re in. God wants us to enjoy these times of the year but we have to do it responsibly. 

I'm reminded of the time someone asked me whether or not it’s our personal responsibility to seek out the true meaning of Christmas? What a wonderful question! I replied to the effect that yes indeed it is our responsibility to celebrate and keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of our Christmas celebration!

Yet, some still focus on the gifts because of the gifts the Wise men brought or other reasons. I would submit that we should focus on “The gift” of Christmas—Jesus Christ Himself. Celebrate His birth, life, death, and resurrection.  

Jesus is and was the first gift of Christmas. In fact, He is and was the long awaited Gift of Christmas. Without Christ, there would be no Christmas...no matter what anyone says!

Let us draw near to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and treasure all that He is. He’s the best gift we can ever have and the full expression of God’s love for us. We need to take our focus off ourselves and our mere gift receiving / giving, and place it back where it should be - on Jesus! Furthermore, let us help our friends and loved ones know His love and that He is the reason for Christmas. He is in the very name of the holiday but sadly many just don’t see Him, yet. 

No matter what you do every Christmas, may you strive to worship the Lord for the most important birthday celebration and gift we can ever receive. 

Let us never forget that Jesus is the first and foremost gift of Christmas! 

Questions to Get Started With: 

• As you give and receive gifts, do you also reflect on God’s gift to you, Jesus, who is the first true gift? 
• What can you do now to share Jesus Christ as the main Christmas gift?
• Is Jesus Christ the center of your Christmas celebration? 
• Have you received His gift of salvation yourself?
• What can you do differently each year to make Christmas more meaningful
• What are some of the things you already do to make your Christmas meaningful?
• Is it your personal responsibility to seek out and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas?
• How do the scriptures you just read help boost your faith and provide a renewed awe and wonder of Christmas?