Sunday Seven

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Merry Christmas! I am aware that each person reading my words is facing a different reality. Some may be tired. Others may be eager to get started with the celebrations of the day. I want to share with you what Christmas is all about. 

  1. It is about Christ. There is no Christmas outside of Christ. All the prophecies point to the baby in the manger, God with us, Immanuel. He is God incarnate. He is present in our brokeness and bounty. In our joy and sorrow. Christmas is all about Jesus. 
  2. It is about Family. God created families. I rejoice in the fact that I get to enjoy this happy day with my family. Experiencing the joy of Jesus with family is simply my favorite thing. 
  3. It is about celebration. God is okay with celebrations. Celebrating this day, in the uniqueness of our being, is something we get to do with joy. There isn't a prescription for Christmas celebrations. The quiet celebration in the mountains of Buthan are as acceptable as the celebration happening in your living room. We celebrate God's gift to us as we are. Celebration is not meant to look the same. We bring who God created to be in our own ethnic expressions to this joyous day. 
  4. It is about memories. Mary treasured the happenings surrounding the conception and birth of Jesus in her heart. I treasure both the Holy Scriptures and the memories my family is cultivating during this season. Time goes by so fast. Memories are little gifts we keep in our hearts. We get to unwrap them and enjoy them all over again. 
  5. It is about things that matter. The birth of Jesus is of great importance. I try to think of how it affects me, my family, my city, my county, my state, my country, and the world. God sent Jesus for a purpose. It is wise to think about God's plan during this season. 
  6. It is about what God did for us. Anything I do for others during this season is nothing compared to what God did for me. God so loved that He sent his only Son to the earth. I'm certainly not worthy of understanding why He loved me so much. I am grateful for this supreme gift of agape love. 
  7. It is about contentment. There is a secret joy in people who practice contentment. Peace is evident. Nothing can shake them. These folks have a relaxed and jovial composure. They are steady in their view of their present and future circumstances. Their circumstances do not determine how they feel. God calls us to be content. Contentment is something I aspire to practice. 

My friend, I pray that you can experience this day and always, all the love God has lavishly given you. Merry Christmas. May God bless you and your family.