All I want Is You, Encouragement to See Christmas In a New Way

Our society tends to celebrate x-mas rather than Christmas. We become pre-occupied with so many activities that we miss the true meaning of Christmas. We remove Christ and the “x” takes on multiple meanings: shopping, tree cutting, who has the prettiest decorations, and which church has the best program. The more we try adding on to the fact that God became a man, the more we ruin it. Doesn’t it blow your mind that the Creator of the Universe came to earth to tell sinners how much He loves us?

If Jesus were here right now, don’t you think He would wonder why every year He has to compete with a new shirt, a new bike, or a man dressed in red?

I wonder if the folks in Bethlehem that Holy night were just like us. Busy. Distracted. Over-burdened. Were they too busy to notice what was happening in a stable across town? Could they not have left the comforts of their homes to see what the fuss was about? Were they so focused on themselves they failed to see majesty meeting mundane?

Sometimes it’s inconvenient to notice Jesus.

We have places to go, people to see, and gifts to buy. Our ‘to-do’ lists grow like rising bread. They get bigger and bigger. The calendar gets fuller and fuller. The “if-only’s” take over. “If only,” I could fit Jesus into my shopping schedule. “If only” I didn’t have that thing to do. “If only” I could slow down and notice Jesus.

Are you kidding me? Jesus slowed down enough to notice us, so why is it so hard for us to notice Him, especially at Christmastime?

Be amazed.

We can do something new this Christmas. We can adjust the noise levels in our hearts and our homes. We can create a true silent night. Silent enough to hear God’s voice. We can choose to stand in amazement of His unconditional love for us. Not because we deserve it but because we belong to Him.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being,” Philippians 2:5-7 (New Living Translation).

God surrendered his divine privileges to be born in the humblest of settings. He didn’t come as a King but as a servant. He came to set an example for us as He redeemed a lost world. Amazed yet?

Let’s Rejoice with new perspective.

Wrapped up in swaddling clothes wasn’t just a baby. As we peel back the layers of warmth we find, peace, joy, possibility, hope, and grace.

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness,” (Ps. 145:3); “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words,” (2 Cor. 9:15 NLT).

We can dress up our homes and throw the best party on the block, but God looks at the heart. He sees past all the shiny tinsel and golden trinkets hanging on the tree. He sees if we are truly worshipping Him or something else.

This Christmas lets toss our schedules out the frosty window and instead…

Spend time being amazed at what God’s done- He’s worth it;

Let’s be stunned by the manger – That baby is God.

Let’s rejoice with great noise – I can’t find one person in the Bible who was touched by God and remained quiet, can you?

Jesus, all I want for Christmas is YOU.

Merry Christmas! Thanks again to Bonnie Gray for so graciously allowing us to write on her website. I enjoy writing here more than any other place!