The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

Remember the Reason for the Season

Luke 2:6-7, 10-11
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
…And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

I remember with such fondness and nostalgia our family Christmases as I was growing up. Oh, I loved the anticipation of Christmas eve when we would have an early get-together for friends and family with lots of good food and fellowship. After our guests left to celebrate their own Christmas eve, our family would gather in the living room. My parents and all seven of us children would crowd onto the couch, and any other seat we could grab. My dad would open his bible and read us the Christmas story from the book of Luke. Afterward, we would get to open one gift before heading up to bed for visions of sugarplums to dance in our heads.

I admit when I was a child the reading of the birth of Christ seemed to go on forever while my mind wandered to what lay behind the brightly colored wrapping paper. I tried to concentrate on the wonder of the shepherds as they saw the brilliant star in the sky, but my mind would wander to the piles of presents under the tree. I pondered in my mind which one of my gifts I should open in just a few minutes.

1Cr 13:11 says
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Now I’m all grown up and I no longer dream like a child of the gifts waiting under the tree with my name on them. Unfortunately, what I have learned is that my grown up thoughts are just as distracting. This time of year I spend too much time planning, scheming, cleaning, making, baking and doing. I let my busyness in the season sidetrack me from my most important task, celebrating the long awaited birth of our Savior who saved us from death. What greater gift could there possibly be?

Everyday this December let us be intentional in remembering God’s faithfulness to us, and the Christ child who was born to pay for our sins.