The Christmas season really is one of my favorites. I love all of the lights and festivities. I certainly love all of the treats! (As I get older they seem to love me less though). I love the excitement that this season brings to my kids. Most of all though, I love celebrating the birth of our wonderful Jesus. It’s interesting though how much Christmas can become about the outward stuff. The glitz, gifts, dresses, pictures, and Christmas trees. Christmas is really about a Savior coming to earth in the form of a God Child named Jesus.
It’s also interesting how much all of the other things Christmas can become about go to war against the peace God wants our hearts to be filled with during this season. Have you ever noticed that? That this season brings stress, pain, and pressure to so many people! We run each other over to buy presents for each other. We stress about parties and gifts and family. The ironic thing is that we miss the central message of Christmas.
I was reading the account of the Shepherds in the Christmas story today and was reminded of heaven’s message.
Luke 2:12-14 (NLT) 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Let’s not miss the two central pieces of the angels Christmas cry:
Glory to God…. This season is about Jesus. His coming and birth. His glory and His grace.
Peace to mankind… God’s intention is peace. Peace in our lives and peace with Him.
God is pleased with you child of God. Let’s receive and live in the gift of peace this Christmas season.