“WHAT DOES IT MEAN!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 555

November 30, 2021

Christmas! What does it mean?

The majority of the world celebrates Christmas, and yet how many know the real meaning.

Many watch, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer, Santa Claus is coming to town, Elf, Miracle on Thirty Fourth Street, and my favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life!

Kids make list and ask for everything they see advertised on TV!

On the other hand, Churches have special services, Cantata’s, Children’s Christmas Programs and Candlelight Services.

Our lawns are decorated, our trees get lights and ornaments on them and our Churches and sometimes the lawns of the Churches portray the birth of the Savior!

Some of our fellow humans face such loneliness and despair during December that they take or think of taking God’s precious gift of life!

Some lay awake plotting and worrying about how they will buy their little ones presents.

The phrase most often heard in a mall, or a department store is: “what can I get ______ for Christmas.”

Retailers count on a banner season of sales, and many people just wish it would all get over!

What does it all mean? What do we feel in our hearts as we go through this month of gatherings, singing, decorating, shopping, and worrying?

Jesus came as the Gift of Eternal, Abundant Life to the entire world. Every person who hears, and believes, and receives, will live with the Peace inside they we were created with.

Jesus was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manager!

Why was not the Son of the Heavenly Father born in a rich person’s house or a Palace or among rulers? He was born to a virgin maiden and a carpenter!

Because He wanted us to understand that He is reaching for every person every in this world. He was ordinary in every way except the way He was He was conceived. He was born to set us free from sin and death, and HE WAS THE FIRST AND GREATEST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS! A gift that continues eternally!

Because of His Love the Father gave the Gift of Life. Because of our Love for others is the reason we should give gifts at Christmas and all year.

Our giving should not be one of requirement or duty or because someone gave or is giving us something but should come from a heart of love that desires to Bless those we Love and care for.

Even those things we do for those we do not know such as Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes, or Bill Jones World Children’s Ministry, or the Salvation Army, and any others should be done out of Love for Jesus and our fellowman.

As we enter December 2021 may we intentionally focus our eyes on the greatest gift of all. JESUS, GOD’S SON!

When I was growing up, I knew that Jesus was real and when I got a little older, I was told by my mother, that Santa Claus stood for St. Nicolas who many centuries ago did much to help the poor around him at all times and on Christmas Eve he left presents. Thus, the tradition of Santa was born.

I never confused Santa Claus with the Savior of the World who came to guide us, love us, and fight our battles.

I told my kids, Jesus is for real, Santa is for fun!

May I encourage you to keep the real meaning of Christmas in the forefront this year? When looking at the light displays you can remind yourself and your children that Jesus is the Savior of the world!

When you are buying gifts for someone remind yourself and your children that God gave the GREATEST GIFT: JESUS. Read the Christmas Story from the Bible more than once and do activities such as putting a small manger scene up or discussing how Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds must have felt on the first Christmas Night!

JESUS, the Gift of Life and Love, was noticed by few people when He was born, but He changed the course of the entire world.

May we not neglect this Gift this year!

Luke 2:10-11 (KJV)
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

_________________________

Father, thank you for the gift of Love that came down to earth wrapped in a body like ours. Thank you for the gift of Life, and the Peace that comes from receiving this gift! Father, your Gift of Love is Amazing, and we rest in you this busy season! In Jesus name, Amen!

Love, MeMaw