December 20, 2007
Today I went to the super center to pick up some milk and things before the next snow storm blows in. Still being a few days before Christmas, the parking lot was jammed and I ended up parking at the farthest possible point from my destination as possible.
Drivers were short tempered and in a rush. A couple was having a very loud disagreement about something to do with Christmas gifts.
The store was lined up more than twenty deep at the cash registers and no one looked happy. Everyone I saw looked stressed, frazzled, and uptight.
You could almost smell the plastic burning as charge cards were pulled out so quickly and often.
The big lie was in full swing. Christmas is about getting the best presents, spending the most money and the pressure from others to keep up with what they expect to get for Christmas.
Christmas is about attending so many activities that you are exhausted all the time and don’t really enjoy any of them.
Christmas is about overspending to the point where you will hate January and February because the bill collectors will be calling about over limit charge cards and missed payments
I know that if you’re a Christian, you’ll probably say, Christmas is all about Jesus. I agree, but what has your pre-Christmas season be focused on? Your actions and focus show where your heart really is.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23 NIV
I wonder what Mary would think if she saw the way we celebrate the birth of her Son. I wonder what Jesus thinks as He watches the big lie happening in the stores and in peoples houses.
What is your focus? Are you following the lie or reflecting on Immanuel?
Until next time, may you take some time and refocus your thoughts on the real reason for the season. The God of all creation cared enough about you to come as a baby, be born in a stable and die on the cross for you.
All those gifts you just bought; in the course of eternity won't matter a bit. If you haven't given Jesus this season then all you've done will bring fleeting happiness and still leave your loved ones wanting.
Wise men still give!
Wise men still seek Him!
Wise men still worship Him!
How wise are you today?
God bless.
Darrel Mason