Well, Christmas (the event - packages, etc.) is mostly past, though Christmas day is not even half over. It is amazing how good God has been, even in just the past few weeks. Mom and Dad were able to come visit for a week, even though their car was remodeled and is in the shop. Some of the items we were hoping to get for the kids were on really good sales; the weather has been pleasant (as pleasant as mid-December can be). God has just showered poured dumped His blessings upon us. Later today we will gather with the whole family and celebrate Christmas together with them. Christmas is indeed all about the coming of the Savior, but one of the ancillary benefits is the opportunity to spend time with family. It is especially wonderful when that family shares a common love for God and the things of God. My God not only meets my needs, but He also provides so many things that can only be described as wants. When one thinks of missionaries or military that can not spend the holidays with family, it makes such a time even more special when it can be done. I am so thankful to God for the family He has given, both my natural family and my family by marriage. The greatest gifts that we have cannot be purchased on Amazon or at WalMart; they come only from God. He sent His Son to offer salvation. He places us in the families that He ordains. He gives health and protection. He alone can meet our needs and give us provision. He is a great and wonderful God.
One of the interesting things about Christmas is the time that we celebrate Christmas. In the Old Testament, often we find a statement that says something like "in the third month, on the twelfth day of the month," something happened. Yet when it came the birth of the Messiah, there is no direct statement of the time and very little implication about the time. The time that we celebrate Christmas is not what is important, else God would have had the gospel writers record the date. What is important is that we take the time and reflect on the work of God and the gift that He has offered through Jesus Christ His Son. The Bible tells us that salvation is only available through Christ. No matter what we accomplish in life; no matter how much we accumulate, we can never gain entrance into God's family. That comes only receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior. We hear it often said that we need to celebrate Christmas throughout the whole year and not just at Christmas time, yet we often get so caught up in our routines that we neglect to mediate on our God and the many blessings that He has given us. At this Christmas season, let each of us commit to making Jesus Christ the central focus of our lives. Merry Christmas.
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