Christmas Is the Love of God
There is something supernatural about this time of year that encourages the soul, initiates long forgotten memories, and ignites the embers of faith deep within the psyche of mankind.
It’s the music, the lights; the Christmas trees, and the Salvation Army volunteers with their kettles and ringing bells. It’s the television shows with frosty and his hat, Rudolph and his nose, the island of misfit toys, and the abominable snowman with his tooth ache.
I remember so clearly listening to Burl Ives sing Christmas songs when I was a kid in Oregon. His voice was unmistakable, and the songs were full of holiday cheer; I was six.
I love the memories of garland, forcing tinsel between my front teeth and blowing so it would dance out in front of my face; I remember how exciting it was to find candy canes on the tree, and candy boxes in my stocking. My favorite was the multi-box of life savers!
There were the carolers, the presents, the lights…oh man how beautiful were all of the lights on the big houses; not to mention all of the decorations in town. There was, of course, going to bed early…and waking up early!
We opened gifts, played with our new toys, went to Grandparents’ houses for dinner, got home late, and went to bed dreaming of the day; it was in short…magical. Then, somehow, and in an instant, it got sweeter.
I was seven years old when I gave my heart to Jesus Christ; I can still remember the moment sitting here today. In that moment, everything changed for me, and for the better.
Everything seemed to become more important, more valuable, more worthwhile; especially Christmas. I became the type of person that really paid attention to this holiday, and to appreciate the significance of its true meaning.
This insight was to become even more profound as I grew older and realized that all of the revelry and beauty of this season can and does have an adverse effect on many people this time of year.
Somehow…the music, lights, TV shows, gifts, stories, and memories are not enough; and mankind sinks into a depression that claims more lives by way of suicide, than during the rest of the year. How could this be?
As I grew closer to God I began to realize that this relationship I had with Him was the true source of my happiness; it was then that I realized how unhappy people must be without this love from God.
I know now that peace and joy have but one true source, and that being Jesus Christ; outside of Him, there is only an ever widening gap of despair that can consume a person, especially during Christmas.
The greatest Christmas of all time is the love of God! It was wrapped with loving hands around two thousand years ago and delivered right on time.
Jesus said it best, as he was talking about His very birth, when He said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” God wrapped up His love for you and placed it right there under your tree.
Do yourself a favor; Christmas morning, wake up early, run to the Christmas tree, and open this gift for you…your life will never be the same. Merry Christmas!