The Only Gift We Need this Christmas
I love this time of year when fall, my favorite season slowly gives way to Christmas, my favorite holiday. As a child, the anticipation I felt in December was so great that invariably I'd set myself up for a serious "let down" when it was all over.
I think the sadness I felt each year on December 26 might have been lessened by some careful adult instruction. Although we were a Christian family, Christmas, in my mind, was a pretext for the real joy of opening gifts... things I wanted, for my sake, and for my satisfaction. Of course, this kind of joy doesn't last too long. The consequence of my misguided hopes and selfishness? An empty feeling each year when it was all over. The build up was great, but the experience itself proved a general disappointment.
Brothers and sisters, this year our pastors have purposed to create a different sort of anticipation-- one that will not disappoint. In this FREETRUTH blog, we have the opportunity each day this Advent Season to look at a biblical text highlighting the Gift of God, Jesus! A powerful daily reminder that Jesus Himself is the Gift we are celebrating!
I welcome the emphasis-- especially this year. Economic recession has touched so many of our own number. May we allow these hard times to draw our attention all the more to the only Gift on earth that ever really mattered, God's Gift, Jesus. God Himself arriving in the form of a baby! What more is there?! We are eternally rescued!
I work with men who have found the Lord Jesus after years of addiction. Colony of Mercy men have an expression: "You never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." Some of these men have wrecked everything good in their lives, including family-- but they have Jesus! And they are content.
This Advent can be the most wonderful ever, even if you are in financial straits. See Jesus this Christmas as "all you need" and in proportion, the value of those colorful boxes under the tree (be they few or many), will fade. And come December 26, you'll still have Him, and He will not leave you feeling empty!
I think the sadness I felt each year on December 26 might have been lessened by some careful adult instruction. Although we were a Christian family, Christmas, in my mind, was a pretext for the real joy of opening gifts... things I wanted, for my sake, and for my satisfaction. Of course, this kind of joy doesn't last too long. The consequence of my misguided hopes and selfishness? An empty feeling each year when it was all over. The build up was great, but the experience itself proved a general disappointment.
Brothers and sisters, this year our pastors have purposed to create a different sort of anticipation-- one that will not disappoint. In this FREETRUTH blog, we have the opportunity each day this Advent Season to look at a biblical text highlighting the Gift of God, Jesus! A powerful daily reminder that Jesus Himself is the Gift we are celebrating!
I welcome the emphasis-- especially this year. Economic recession has touched so many of our own number. May we allow these hard times to draw our attention all the more to the only Gift on earth that ever really mattered, God's Gift, Jesus. God Himself arriving in the form of a baby! What more is there?! We are eternally rescued!
I work with men who have found the Lord Jesus after years of addiction. Colony of Mercy men have an expression: "You never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." Some of these men have wrecked everything good in their lives, including family-- but they have Jesus! And they are content.
This Advent can be the most wonderful ever, even if you are in financial straits. See Jesus this Christmas as "all you need" and in proportion, the value of those colorful boxes under the tree (be they few or many), will fade. And come December 26, you'll still have Him, and He will not leave you feeling empty!
Labels: Christmas, Contentment, Guest Post
posted by Petros at
12:25 AM
4 Comments:
Thanks Peter, I think we have all experienced this let down. As long as we focus on ourselves we will always be let down. As we focus on our Lord and others we walk away with the great feeling that never fades. In fact, this is one experience which we can have all year round. I think this focus is the water which our Lord spoke of in John 4, which once consumed, leaves us never thirsting again. May I be an example of this to my family and those with whom I have contact this season.
My thoughts....
JR
Peter, thanks so much for today's blog. A reminder to me of "keeping the main thing, the main thing." God has blessed me in many ways with "material" gifts -- grand European travels, "toys" of all sorts, lots of things. Despite all of this -- they certainly do not satisfy the longings of the heart like Jesus does. My desire this year is to focus on Jesus as being the one who only can fill all of my needs. Thanks again for the reminder. Debbie
Peter,
Thank you for bringing me back to my "pile under the tree". I always thought that it should have been a bigger pile with better stuff. I was always depressed as soon as I had the last box in my hand, even before opening it. Christmas was always a let down. What a selfish kid was I!
Yesterday I met two beautiful Christian people at my work place. We prayed, shared the kindness and love of Christ at my desk. Better than any pile under any tree ever!
A little late Peter, but thank you for the reminder. It's one we always can use and probably one we always need.
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