The Real Joy of Christmas!
The time of year that we call
‘Christmas’ has always had a special “magic” associated with it. Times
change for sure, and economies boom and fail, but Christmas never ever loses its
excitement for one simple reason - unconditional love. While growing up, most
children would obviously never think of Christmas in those terms, but they seem
to either experience it, or they yearn to experience it. Whether there are many
gifts or few around the Christmas tree, there is an underlying foundation that
makes Christmas ‘itself’ greater than all the gifts, decorations,
activities, or food, because what is experienced is someone’s unconditional
love! In every heart there is a fundamental need for this unconditional love - a
love that comes without condition or cost. This is not pitiful love, or even
condescension, but a boundless and inexhaustible love that seeks only to give
for another person’s benefit. It is true that this can breed selfishness
(always wanting to obtain more and more from that limitless source), but as I
grew older, I came to understand the reason why people loved to give, and give
unconditionally at Christmas. Christmas was not a time of rewards, but of love,
and that, being always unconditional. I found out that the real joy of Christmas
had been born out of unconditional love for a sinner such as I, and then wrapped
in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. That love was not given because I
deserved anything, but because my Saviour wanted me of all people to live with
Him forever. All I had to do was, like a little child at Christmas, accept His
gift at the cross, and enjoy the boundless and never-ending flow of love that
only comes from God. Christmas has only been the better since I tapped into the
source of all the gift-giving, and received for myself the greatest gift
promised in Romans 6:23 which says, “the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.” So, before you get over-whelmed by all the activity at
Christmas this year, take a moment and ponder why
you go to such effort. I believe that you will see (if you have not already),
that you do it because you want to give a type of love that is based upon the
example of the very first Christmas. Any other reason would only be a poor
substitute for the real joy of Christmas!
- Pastor Craig Ledbetter