Holidays; Remembering How Blessed You Really Are
As the holidays approach and one starts to feel melancholy and lonely; Please remember, first of all the “holidays” really aren’t that much different than say; “your birthday, Columbus day, a Saturday or a Sunday.” It’s perception, actually it’s all about perception. If you think about it even reality to a great degree is perception. So, before you allow the world around you to drag you kicking and screaming or passively flopping into what the holiday season is “supposed to be” all about, look up and inward.
In reality it is about the Christ Child (Jesus), Who sets at the right hand of God the Father. Not father time, father Christmas or our earthly fathers; But, rather, our heavenly Father Who created not only the heavens and the earth, but us in His image. It’s not about the biggest and most beautiful tree, the number of gifts or the amount of rich and extravagant food we can consume. Or the number of events we can attend or the number of people we can flock to or them to us! It’s a perception and reality that we live in the other 300 days per year (give or take a few days). I’m primarily talking about the time span between November 1st and January 1st. The time frame when the holiday season starts to rear it’s ugly head for some people.
GIFTS
2CORINTHIANS 9:7 “Every man according as he purposed in his own heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or out of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.” God asks us to give gifts from a heart of joy, not out of obligation or a social expectation. Rather one from cheerful, sincere and thankful heart that is overflowing with the knowledge of His love and joy in which He blesses us with our many gifts. Gifts in and of themselves do not always come wrapped in pretty paper, have to throw us into unmanageable debt, resentment and unfulfilled expectations. No the best gifts are the things money can’t buy and even death can’t take away: Our time, our sincere love and forgiveness. A book read aloud to a child or even another adult, sharing the experiences of baking and sipping coffee and tea together. Laughter, a board game or a walk in the cold brisk hair to breath in freedom and freshness and to get outside yourself, literally and figuratively.
And before all else, a deep and enduring thought of knowing that whom you belong to and loves you best; is God your Heavenly Father. He alone has given you the best gift of any season in your life, the life of His own Son, the baby Jesus. The man Jesus, so that you might have life and live yourself. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9:6
The angel told the shepherds not to be afraid, because he was bringing a joyful message. One that would benefit all people, a Savior had been born. So, let us thank God for that joy and let us seek that same joy and purpose the shepherds had that night!
Blessings Always,
Colleen Bruce
