'Tis the Season...

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..."

Feel the excitement in the air, the expecation of celebrating Jesus' birth?

We give gifts to one another in semblance of God's ultimate and incomparable gift to us. His son, Jesus. We hang lights in representation of the Star of Bethlehem that shone brightly as it led the way to the baby Jesus; then it shone over the place where baby Jesus lay in the manger.

Don't get all stressed over who to buy for, what to get them, or even how much to spend so they will be happy with the gift and give a good one back to you. THAT IS NOT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. The spirit of Christmas is ALL about love, giving when not expecting anything in return and praise to/for Jesus who gave the most. You cannot give back to Him the value of what He gave for you. We can honor Him by giving to others and most of all giving ones own self/heart, life and love to HIM.

Christmas is not presents, decorations or trees! It is God making a way of escape from our sins. It is the birth of the only sacrifice that can atone for our sins. The Wise Men showered Him with expensive gifts, the shepherds came to see and honor this savior born to die so that we might live. What do you offer Jesus today? Stressing, squabbling, pouting, anger or hate? I hear many say they hate Christmas. What they fail to realize is they really hate what Christmas has been turned into by man, not Christmas in it's true spirit.

Let us not argue over whether or not Christmas began with a pagan ritual. I too believe that Christ was born at a different time of the year. I understand that worship of anything other than God is idolatry and a sin.... decorating a tree perhaps is not the sin, but having a spasm because you "just have to get that tree up" can be a sin... Matthew Henry's commentary calls it idolatry...

Jeremiah 10:1  Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Don't worship the tree or the lights or bad mouth your neighbor because their decoration might be a little better than yours.... it is the HEART that must stay pure for the spirit of the season to be right. Keep that feeling of excitement. Keep that expectation of joy and peace and love...

Share it with others, spread hope and cheer.... because Jesus is the reason for the season!

Matthew 2:9-11

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

 Don't forget the most important gift recipient of all... Jesus Christ. The only gift He wants is YOU. Your love, your trust, your worship, your praise and you to believe!