Devotion: Let’s celebrate!

I really love Christmas, and I agree with those who say, “We need a little Christmas...RIGHT NOW!”

The bright decorations, the lights, the sweet music, the fun sweaters and even the “Elf caps” worn by folks in the stores all lift my spirit. And right now we need elevated spirits in the face of all our country has faced in the last nine months.

On top of that, who does not like gifts?! “Gifts” have always been a way of honoring someone.

Take, for instance, the Queen of Sheba who brought very elaborate gifts to honor King Solomon (1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9) just as the Magi honored the Christ Child by bringing gifts to Him.

So, these “wise” men chased after the prophecy and the star to find this Baby King. If you think about it, the gifts the Magi brought were prophetic and costly, but it was the “gift” they found that was priceless. The Baby Jesus came to bring us freedom, healing, peace and restore us to our place in the presence of God.

Well, then, what kind of “gift” do you suppose just regular folks like you and I can bring to the Creator of the Universe?

As a parent, I think a very precious “gift” would be “getting to know our Father God” better and not taking anyone’s opinion as fact until we have talked to Him and studied His Word, and maybe even preparing our heart, which might include forgiving someone, you suppose?

Giving people we love gifts in honor of the King is a sweet thing to do, but many people are teaching their kids about the true meaning of Christmas by helping at a soup kitchen or buying gifts for a poor family! To explain the giving of Christmas presents, I have told my kids for years that we give each other Christmas gifts as a way of giving gifts to the Baby Jesus. After all, the only thing He wants of us is our heart!

Merry Christmas!