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!
