The Reason for the Season

This Christmas, I was bit just a little bit by the "buy too much" bug. What do I mean by that? Well, I am aware that some of our family members are buying our family much more than we were able to afford for them this Christmas. You see, this Christmas is the hardest one our family has experienced yet financially. We're not bad off or anything, please don't misunderstand. But, we don't have the finances to purchase the usual amount that we would for others.

So, on the car ride home this evening, my husband so delightfully caught me in this buy too much funk. I was suggesting that "maybe we could just go buy so and so one more thing" when he said something that really made me think.

He said, "What if it was the babies birthday, but we gave everyone else gifts and didn't even acknowledge him on that day?" Wow.  Sometimes things like that need to be said to hit us right between the eyes.

Now, I know we can't give Jesus actual tangiable gifts. A coffee pot is not on his wish list. But, we can give Him our love, our time, our hearts, etc. We can also remember that this day is HIS day. Not our day.

I don't believe passing out presents is sinful in the least. I do think it is crossing a line when What should I get so and so is on our minds more than Thank you Father for being born for me does. Are we so worried about how we are going to buy one more thing, or about just praising the One who this is all about?

Luke 2:1-14
 ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
 ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

May your Christmas this year be a little more about Christ and less about us. :)