The Gift of Christmas

This Holy season of our Lord’s birth amid the pandemic has been the ideal time for me to reflect on the genuine gift of Christmas; God’s salvation and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus.

I often get caught up in the music, the traditional celebrations, and gatherings. Some of these customs may still take place but they will be experienced differently. This year I am praying for an end to COVID-19, healing for the ill, and comfort for those who have lost loved ones. A year ago, phrases like “shelter in place,” “social distancing,” “PPE,” and mask-wearing were unthinkable. Today they are part of my daily life. This rapid change has been challenging.

On the other hand, this period has given me time to clean out closets, cabinets, and drawers filled with things I haven’t used in years or that have long outlived their purpose. The cleaning, organizing, and getting rid of dust, and clutter have caused me to ask myself some difficult questions. “What about the spiritual clutter and debris in my life? Have I given the same attention to getting rid of these?”

If I am honest, it is easy for me to get so busy “doing” that my thoughts and time do not reflect what I know to be true. The gift of this season was never meant to be something I can do, be, or purchase. The being, the doing, and the purchasing took place over 2000 years ago. Jesus has done the being; He is the light of the world. He has done the doing by going to the cross. He did the purchasing with his life for mine. There is no more generous gift. The miracle is the creator of heaven and earth chose to take the form of a baby, to grow, mature, and live as one of us, ultimately giving His life. Receiving this gift is the only one with eternal value.

The Fulfillment of the Promise

There will be Christmas customs missed this year, but I hope what will be found, renewed, and cherished is Jesus. He is the fulfillment of the promise of Isaiah 9:6, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.” This promised child is not meant to merely be gazed at in the manger. He is our mighty God, our refuge, our strength, our joy, and our peace to be worshiped and adored.

Some traditions may be absent this year, but the only thing, the only person, the only gift that matters, Jesus, will be present. Our Mighty God, Emmanuel will be with us: God with me and God with you. Receive this precious gift and promise.

Come, let us adore Him.

Christmas Blessings,

Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.

Scripture for Meditation

God with us, Emmanuel! Scripture for Christmas and your deeper meditation following my post, The Gift of Christmas. Rejoice!

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. ~Luke 2:4-20

John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

I Corinthians 8:6 – Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Revelations 5:9 – And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”