Your Presence

So here we are, again in what we call the Christmas season. Our society will anxiously wait for snow, concerts, parades and yes, sales, as our stress levels climb. Yet, it does not have to be this way. You see, we need only stop and remember what we should be anticipating. Our culture celebrates the birth every December 25th, but as we were reminded in church last Sunday, it is not Jesus’ birthdate. Our world has, over time tried to replace Him with red suits, snowmen, and credit card purchases.

          

Christmas this year, should be a time to turn back the clock, and get back to what is really important. Let’s all search out a time when children’s school concerts sang of a babe in a manger, when store window paintings included…today in the city of David, a few weeks when every church and many homes proudly displayed a nativity. Let’s remember a season when church bells rang out Silent Night in the silent of the night, snowflakes on our tongue, as we walked hand in hand with our sweetheart. Let’s shop, not till we drop, yet for a memorable gift that represents the gifts offered to a new born King. Rekindle the teaching of Jesus’ birth to our children, and let them know that He was born, a symbol of hope for all the world.

          

Now don’t get me wrong, yes we are in the Christmas season, which I love. Let’s enjoy the excitement of family dinners together, reunions of those perhaps estranged, and a connecting of family and friends. To those who are alone, or lonely, or have lost loved ones and are mourning, please let them know they are not forgotten. Encourage them to remember better times, and to look forward. Help someone along the way who has very little, or nothing, and feed someone who is hungry. Let this be a time of a hope for peace in our homes, communities, country, and our world.

      

Allow yourself to celebrate Jesus and the absolute miracle of His birth against all odds. Remember that even Herod could not stop His coming. This king came, not on a white steed, yet quietly, as foretold, wrapped in rags, a gift to, and for all mankind. Perhaps now, we can all enjoy our Christmas season, rather than fret over the gift buying. Let your precious gift to each other be, your presence and time. It is worth more than anything borrowed money could ever buy.

          

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca