tapiocapuddin

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Christmas--a time that has come to be known by its incredible decorations, shopping, and Santa Claus displays. So why do Christians even bother anymore? Why not just shove the holiday back on the pagans and go on our merry way? Well, my brain is on break, so I'm not promising anything profound, but I thought I'd just share some of my thoughts. Y'all are lucky I only do this once in awhile 'cause I tend to think a lot! ;-)

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the shopping, gift giving, carols, decorations, break from school, and getting together with friends and family. But it's so much more than that. While Jesus may not have been born on the 25th of December, it's a day set aside to remember Christ laying aside His majesty, taking on the form of man, being born of a virgin, Word becoming flesh. This is more than just theological terms we casually throw around, this is mind-boggling reality! If Christ had not been born, He could not have died for our sins. His resurrection to give us eternal life would never have happened. And guess what! God Himself was the first to celebrate His Son's birth! I know I've never had multitudes of heavenly hosts appear at my birthday parties! *starts singing parts of the Messiah*

At the end of the year, when life seems to rush at me at a speed too much for me to handle, Christmas sets aside the usual to put my focus back where it belongs. It helps me to start my year off on the right foot. One of my favorite Christmas songs is called "Start at the Manger...Then Go to the Cross."** The birth of Christ was not the end. While I begin praising God at the stable, I end up on my knees at the cross. It's the cause that produces the effect. And this, in fewer words, is why Christmas is such a special time to me. Luckily, in my family, our celebration is not over. As our decorations stay up until mid January, we'll continue into the new year with the nativity as the centerpiece of our home and hopefully our hearts as well.


*I would have posted a picture of our nativity (it's really quite beautiful!), but the lighting is so bad in that room that I can never get anything decent. Really.
**If anyone knows all the words to this song, I'd love to get them!