I believe...and not in Santa Claus!

It is the most wonderful time of the year.

I know that sounds so cliche', but it truly is.

There is just a feeling surrounding many of us...it is a feeling of hope. (Those who are saved by grace, who have a personal relationship with Jesus, and who still choose to identify themselves as Christians in a time when WE are not the most popular of people.) We walk around this empty, lonely, suffering world with hope and joy. A feeling of joy despite any of our circumstances. A desire to give because we have been freely given SO much.

It is the reason for the season...the sacrifices of Christ paired with the ultimate love of our Heavenly Father.

I realize that historians and theologians argue the actual date and time of Christ's birth. I also realize that the symbols and beloved representations of His birth (wise men, nativity scenes, etc.) are also controversial. I also heard a song recently proclaiming that it was not a "silent night." It was an interesting Christian point of view. Because I have a personal relationship with Christ, I am not concerned with the exact day he was born or whether or not wise men were there as He lay in a stable manger, or a cave, or whatever. Because I know Him personally, I can celebrate who He is and just that He WAS born. (Imagine arguing with your 90 year old grandma and refusing to celebrate when you were taught to celebrate her birthday...and instead demanding the facts line up wanting to prove the exact day she was born. Really? Does it matter. She is here. She has invested in your life and your kids' lives. She attends every holiday and remembers every birthday. She is real. When she arrived doesn't matter as much as the fact that she did arrive.) And no, I'm not equating my grandma with Christ. LOL

All of those things aside, we come together as believers to truly reflect and appreciate what it means to be who we are and to shoulder both the responsibility and the blessing of being that person. A sinner, saved by grace, through faith. Nothing we could do to earn it. Nothing we could do to have it taken away from us. Knowing we will not ever be good enough on our own merit. Knowing and trying to understand with any certainty what it means to forgiven and be granted His mercies new each day.

That is why our hearts well up with love, with gratitude, with joy, and this desire to give and share and bless and do...it is all because of Jesus.

Yes, commercialism has wormed its way in more each passing year. We become more and more concerned with what we give, how we give it, what it is wrapped in (you know it is all about presentation...we wouldn't dare put a gift in a brown paper sack..right?)...but even that reminds me of what Jesus has done for us.

He cared what was given. He wanted to meet our need. We were perishing in our own sin, our need was salvation.

He cared how it was given. He wanted us to receive it. It was given without strings. It was given not because of our having given Him something first. It was (and is) offered freely to all who put their trust in him.

He cared about the wrapping. God took care in seeing that He was born to a virgin, that He dwelt among us, that He was one who understood us and presented Himself in a way that would not condemn or threaten us, but would relate with our every struggle. He made a way. He was the way. He came special delivery.

So much of that gift and wrapping paper analogy reminds me of what I see happening around me today.

How many do we know that won't accept a gift because of pride?

How many do we know that will reject a gift once it is opened because they think they don't need it?

How many do we know that judge a gift by it's wrapping? Rejecting it before they even open it.

No matter how you package the gift of salvation, the gift of Jesus' birth...it is not a useful gift if you don't open it. If you don't receive it, you couldn't possibly understand the joy of not just this wonderful time of year, but throughout the year. Throughout your circumstances, good or bad.

We truly can learn so much about our Heavenly Father and His gifts as we enjoy the season and offer our lives as a testimony to Him and to those around us.

As I wrap up this post (no pun intended), I want to share with you that I began to reflect on all of this because of an interaction I had with someone who doesn't believe. Their words were profane, their heart hard to the things of Christ, and the very things that bring many of us joy each season were like a clanging symbol to them.

I began to get sad and to feel pity that this person would be so filled with hatred and contempt for the things of the Lord. And soon God reminded me that I need not be sad, only to pray. It was truly a choice. Choosing to accept the son of God and the very gift that has been given is a decision that each of us will have to make in our lifetime. I quickly chose to be filled with gratitude instead.

The gift of salvation is foolishness to those who are perishing.

1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

To have the faith and be called to accept the gift, is a gift itself.

Romans 8:30 "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

And for that gift, I am the most grateful!

Merry Christmas to all of you, and may God bless you and keep you!

Sincerely,

The grateful Maid