Sunday, December 20, 2015

The truth about Christmas

Christmas.  It's one of the busiest times of the year. With all the caroling, Christmas pageants, buying gifts and getting the Christmas cards out, it can be a bit hectic. It's challenging, but if we try, we can focus on the true meaning of Christmas that began over 2000 years ago.


It wasn't about Santa Claus and lighting trees with colored lights. There was nothing about making lists and checking them twice like it is today.  Don't get me wrong, I don't these things are wrong and I've done all of them all my life. But that not what Christmas is really about. 


It started with God's gift to us in order that we could spend eternity with Him. He came to earth as baby and a few decades later would be a sacrifice to forgive us for all we've ever done wrong. That's how much God loves us. 
 
One thing that helps point me back to a good perspective of Christmas is listening to music that exalts Christ and his birth.  Right now I'm listening to music from the annual concert put on my the Azusa Pacific University choir.  A marvelous performance of Christmas music that's presented each year.  Hearing the music reminds me how it all started more than two centuries ago.  This, in addition to attending a Christmas Eve service at Fellowship Greenville, help me focus on the true meaning of Christmas.   

Your turn. How do you keep the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront of your mind in this season?