Another Christmas season is fast approaching. Advent is upon us and I find myself getting really excited about celebrating this year!! I can’t help but rejoice when I look back over the past year and see the wonderful ways that God has blessed our church. We have so much to be thankful for and as we move forward to yet another year we want to continue to keep our sights on Jesus in all that we do.
Humorist Elwyn Brooks White once said, “To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more and more difficult with every year.”
Whether or not this is true for everyone, the point is clear: As Christians we have to work very hard to keep our focus on the real significance of the season in spite of all the holiday hoopla.
It is also easy (especially for me) to get frustrated with trying to keep up with all that goes on during this time of year, (the presents, the shopping, the expense, the busyness, the parties, the baking the visiting etc) all of which can be a wonderful part of Christmas if we are able to keep our focus on why we do these things in the first place. If we don’t intentionally take the time each year to remember the giving of God’s most precious gift to mankind then before we realize it Christmas will have passed and Jesus will have taken a back seat in our celebrations, in our thoughts, hearts, families, and in our whole lives. I have to admit that there have been times when I am very guilty of this. So to help us to keep our focus this year let me suggest a Christmas commemoration strategy.
First, make it a weekly event to read different sections of the Christmas story in the Scriptures with your family and talk about its meaning. Perhaps this might happen around the dinner table or another time when your family is all together.
Second, focus on the wonderful gifts that God has given you personally - your faith, your family, your abilities, your intellect, your friends, your neighbours and your freedom to live and worship as you choose......just to suggest a few.
Third, do those first and second exercises each week throughout the Christmas season and make it a priority.
Finally, make it a personal goal after the season is over to continue doing these focusing exercises at least once a month throughout the rest of the year - until the Christmas season rolls around again. After all Christmas should live in our hearts every day, not just once a year.
During this season there is always a lot of noise and distraction around us. These exercises will help us to stay focused on the Saviour and all His wonderful love towards us. With all the distractions and mixed signals we throw God’s way isn’t it wonderful and incredible that He never gives up on us? Christmas really is a celebration of God’s focus on each one of us. This year let’s really try to make an effort to do the same towards Him.
With Christmas blessings, peace, and goodwill to you and your family,
Pastor Rhonda
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