THIS TIME OF YEAR

So often as this time of year comes around, CHRISTMAS, the thought that goes through everyone’s mind is, “What am I getting everyone for Christmas?” All that I can tell you is, that is the wrong thought. What I mean is, Christmas should be the time of year when we realize just what we have been given. I know the cliché, Jesus was given to us and we celebrate is birth, that is true, but we should feel that way all year not just at Christmas! So what am I talking about then? What was given to US? DO we really know? Sometimes I wonder about these questions and ponder on the answers to them and in the following I hope to share with you the answers that I have discovered.

We get so busy with the Christmas “STUFF” that we lose site of the real answers to these questions. If you don’t think that you are busy just look at your planner or calendar and you will see. There are Christmas parties for work, for Sunday school classes, and if that’s not enough there is Christmas play practices and choir practices for the musicals and plays at church. I am not saying that these things are bad, only when they cloud our perspective of the real reason for this time of year. All of these start around the end of November and usually end the day before Christmas letting us know that it is time to spend time with the family and “share” the Christmas cheer and spirit. Now, I don’t know about you, but by this time I am pretty well put out with the whole thing and am ready just to get it over. You say, “What an attitude to have?” I feel the same way and thus the question again, “What was given to us?”

“What was given us?” Let’s start with, we worship and serve a God that takes rain and makes oceans out of it! He said, “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” and like flipping a switch, there was light! Look at this scripture:
Psalm 33:13-15 “From heaven the LORD looks down and see ALL mankind; from HIS dwelling place HE watches ALL who live on earth—HE who forms the hearts of ALL, who considers everything they do.” NIV
Let me ask again, “What was given us?” A relationship with the CREATOR of ALL, not only a relationship, but a relationship that was established before time began. God in all His Glory decided that He wanted to be loved not by obligation, but by choice. Now is a good time to share that love with Him, and take some of that busy time and tell Him, because He is listening.

“What was given us?” We worship not just a creator, but “THE CREATOR” of it ALL. Even without Christmas we would still have JESUS! “Why?” Good question, yes He is the reason for the season and all that, but He was before the season. Take a step back and think about this, sometime before time began, God and Jesus having a conversation, as the angels were flying around Their heads and crying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory” (yea that is a verse) God says, “Wouldn’t it be nice to hear praises to Us because they want to?” and next thing we know we are hear and being allowed to be the ones doing the praising!! WOW! Again I ask, “What was given us?” Take some time and just praise Him, because He is listening.

“What was given us?” As the Christmas season goes into full swing; as you go shopping at the over crowded malls and shopping centers; as you go to the parties, rehearsals and whatever else is on your plate, take some time and think about, “What was given us?” Realize that even without the gifts and all the special activities that come with the season, we still have a reason to rejoice and praise God. Take a few moments and share with someone, that maybe having a stressful Christmas, the gifts that were given to us by our “CREATOR”. Faith in a Savior that loves us, Hope that no matter what comes upon us He still cares, and Love from a Savior that gave His own life for ours. If this is the only gift that you can give, then you have given the greatest gift known to man!! So, “what was given us?” Go and give the gift of Jesus, because He is watching! Remember, “…faith, hope and love, But the greatest of these is love.” Go share the love of Christ with someone and remember, He IS watching.

“Do we really know?” This is a question by now, should already be answered. No matter what kind of condition you are in, remember the CREATOR of the universe is watching over us and it is our responsibility to respond to Him as we should not only at this time of year, but throughout our lives. Rich Mullins says it best, “Our God Is An Awesome God!” So as you go on your hurried way this Christmas remember “What was given us?”