12/15/2017

King of Christmas


How many kings and fathers gave up their sons for me?  In a world where self-serving leaders seem focused more on meeting their own needs and fulfilling their agenda, it is hard to believe a leader would only care about us. Who enters the world humbly in a manger in a lowly stable and changes the faith of the world?

I often wonder why the Christmas season is the time when the focus is so heavy on spending money. Jesus had a message about everything but wealth. His was a message of love and of leading others to his Father. Yet on the anniversary of his birth, even as adults, we celebrate by being more focused on gift buying and giving than on the birthday of the greatest of Kings.

Who among us has touched more lives?  Which leader has heard more praise, more whispers asking for help or more cries of gratefulness than Jesus?  And to think he started in a stable, a place where horses are kept, smelly and cold that night in Bethlehem.

Are you keeping in your Christmas Christ?  When you think of the celebration of the holidays and look at your tree, do you remember the light on the top of the tree is more in remembrance of the North Star leading three wise Kings to behold Jesus?  The angel on others trees should remind us all that the angels had their voices raised in unison at the glory of the birth and what was to come.  They knew what so many were too naive to believe and see, a King of all Kings was among us and would show the way for ages to come.

St. Nick is a wonderful tradition. Giving of gifts has its place during the holiday season. Gathering around the tree is indeed splendid as is many of the other age-old traditions. However, if you are not leaving out time to reflect on the most inspiring part of Christmas, rejoicing over the birth of Jesus, Christmas is like a tree unlit.  The blues after Christmas will hit you for certain because the light of Christ will not be lit within you. 


So as I asked myself how many kings, leaders, icons have given up so much for me, the answer is one. And I continue and ask you what man has influenced history and mankind more than any other by his life which was cut short by disbelief in his goodness?  The answer is found in Christmas, Jesus, the reason, so please keep the baby in the manager in your heart this season and let His light shine in yours!


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