As I sit back and look through the sales ads and dream about what I would like to get my family (and myself) this Christmas, I can’t help but think that there might be something that Jesus would like for Christmas.
It is interesting that as I enter into the season, which should be the most “wonderful time of the year”, I feel a sense of regret and shallowness. The problem of humanity throughout history has been our incredible ability to focus on our own interests and desires above those of others. Now at this stage of my life, having children has been in many ways a true “means of grace”. For those unfamiliar with this phrase, what I mean is that God has granted me a portion of His grace by giving me a family. There are times when I would love to be able to focus on what I want to do, accomplish, or even indulge in but have been limited in doings so because of the needs of my family. While this may come off as a bother at times, it is actually a blessing and way in which God imparts grace to me (and others). This gives me the benefit of taking my focus off of myself and giving it to that which is most significant. Christmas should be a time when we are able to take our focus off of ourselves and place in it on the Holy, Eternal, and Truly valuable.
I pray that God would give us the hearts to understand and comprehend the gift that he would like this Christmas.
If I am to grasp the “REALITY” of the Christmas event, I must begin to take my eyes off of self and place them upon that which the Father desires. In the book of John, Jesus mentions that he could only do what the father is doing. I wonder what are we doing and in what ways are we serving ourselves this Christmas? As children of the Living God, what actions, this Christmas, come closest to the heart and desires of our Father?
What gift is God asking of you this Christmas?
