What We Want You to Know: Christmas
By: Courtney and Khylee
As Christmas time approaches our minds are full of grocery lists, last minute gifts, and travel plans. Ten trips to Wal-Mart THIS week (We wish we were kidding!). We both feel like we have been going non-stop trying to wrap up all the odds and ends and prepare for family Christmases. While editing photos today I (Courtney) listened to some sermons online and WOW did the Lord speak to me. WHAT are we bustling around with all this busy body work for? We fill our lives full of meaningless activities, stuff and outside pressures to the point of busting at the seams. Yet, somehow instead of expectantly waiting and anticipating the birth of our Savior, we end up missing Him altogether.
“Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it’s a sign that I’ve taken on something of the
world and not of Christ.”- Anne Voskamp
Like most families that are thinking about how they want to raise their children, the subject of Christmas is something that we have REALLY begun to talk about this holiday season. Both of our families want to start meaningful traditions that point only to Christ, not our own selfish desires. We want to teach our children the story of Christ during this season, the story of how God began the process of adopting us as HIS children, the story of the fall of humanity, our need for a Savior, and his merciful redemption.
“Maybe that’s always the only choice we have to make every Christmas: feed our own fickle wishes or feed the real hunger of Christ?”- Anne Voskamp
We want to teach our children during this season how to be the hands and feet of Christ, how to love “the least of these” as we are commanded in Matthew 25. For us, it only makes sense to celebrate this time asking Jesus what we can give him for his birthday. So, we are starting new traditions this year with both of our families that don’t involve a man in a red suit but rather point us into marveling and worshipping our Savior.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
I (Courtney) heard a sermon that said - "You may know the Christmas story and not know the Savior.” In this busy season what is on your heart? Buying another gift? Stress? Disappointment? Unfulfillment with all the stuff, but not knowing why? Or truly celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world. If you do not know Jesus Christ and do not have a personal relationship with Him, you can. Embrace the unexplainable hope that only comes from Him. That is the reason he came from heaven, was for you and me.
