How could I have forgotten a gift? Don’t you hate that. You plan ahead to avoid the hustle and bustle and then . . . you find yourself amid the crazy!
Headed to the mall, I was dreading the journey of having to find that last PERFECT gift. Oh the pressure we put on ourselves! A block away, my car was stopped by traffic. I sat and sat. It was a traffic jam at the mall.
Sitting still in traffic gives your mind time to ponder.
I wondered where Jesus was in all this crazy traffic.
I wondered what Jesus must be thinking.
I wondered if Jesus was excited that we threw HIM a birthday party every year.
In the pit of my stomach, I was sick.
In the conversation with Jesus in my head, I felt He was telling me He could careless about all this fuss we make. While we get frazzled, sit in traffic, and run from here to there, we set the birthday Boy to the side. Not a very fun party for Him, I guess.
We make ourselves feel good by attending our Christmas Eve services and maybe even giving a gift to someone in need. But in my conversation, I felt Jesus telling me he could careless about the hustle and bustle. He quickly turned my mind to a Christmas party He loved.
Remembering a Christmas party that I shared with 30 teenage girls rescued out of human trafficking, I smiled.
In my conversation Jesus nods with affirmation that is Christmas! To move beyond my wants and needs to focus on others who have nothing. To bring joy to those scared, abused, and far from home. Spreading the Light of Jesus in the dark and His hope to those who feel hopeless. Yes, that was the spirit of Christmas. That was the party Jesus wanted — it didn’t have to be perfect, it just had to serve His people and spread His love!
My heart longed to go back and spend Christmas with those girls. My heart thought of those on the streets who we had just spent an evening with. My heart thought of those who didn’t have a meal, let a lone a Christmas gift. I was being drawn to them.
After the conversation with Jesus, I turned the car around and said “to heck with that perfect gift.” Not really, I got the last gift I needed. But I shopped with the lingering question of “does this really matter?” Does it?
Does Christmas really matter?
I’m not talking about the birth of Jesus — yes, of course that matters!! I’m talking about Christmas Day — the day we say we celebrate His birth, but yet it seems like it is a day to celebrate and gift ourselves.
What are your thoughts? How do you reconcile what Jesus would want His birthday to represent and what we’ve made of it?
Before you answer, you must know — I’m not a Grinch! My family celebrates Christmas over the top. But maybe that’s the problem — I’m realizing, I’d rather celebrate Jesus.
How do you celebrate Jesus among all your packages, boxes, and bags?
I struggle with the same thoughts, Alene. I want to make a difference in the lives of those orphans and widows like Jesus commanded. I will need to focus on Him and His will after all the Christmas decorations are packed and put away. Maybe we should pray for each other. That we use the gifts and talents He’s given us to shine His light all year long to those who need to see it most? Thank you for this reminder.
I think I’m all messed up because we go all crazy and generous in December and yet the rest of the year — where’e the charity, love, and help for others. I think I’m doing too much thinking this season or am I?
I struggle with this too. I have really scaled back over the years and work to help others more, but I still feel there’s so much more to do. I spent time serving our homeless shelter last night. I talked with multiple people who appreciated that I paid attention to them. They told me their stories. I heard stories of hope with people getting housing and taking steps out of homelessness. It made me remember to be grateful and pay attention to people around us.
I know you were blessed in that homeless shelter. Those men and women are SO loving and appreciative. Love being out on the streets! Blessings friend as you love on those in your presence this week.
It’s wonderful to read this on Christmas eve. As you point out, we celebrate Jesus’ birthday best when we remember that whatever we have done for the least of these, we have done for him. To clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned. And sometimes the nakedness, hunger and imprisonment are spiritual, more than physical. So we should reach out to those who are hungry for love or imprisoned by fear or shame or anger. Merry Christmas!
Thanks Alene, Yes, Let’s celebrate HIM and in that celebration continue to love others with His most amazing love!
Thank you for your message, and I agree. Christmas seems to be losing Christ in its commercialism. Every year I feel I need to bake or sew, you know make something from the heart; then, i get busy and at the last minute i shop. Perhaps, i need to write a letter to my family and friends and just let them know how much i love them and how much God loves us all. Again, instead i shop. Thank you for reminding us that Christmas is about the gift of giving.
Love the thought of writing a Christmas letter to family and friends with thoughts of how much they mean to you!