December 2008 -Does Christmas Bring You Peace?
12/01/2008
Peace and goodwill comes when we take time to meditate on what Christmas really means. This is Jesus’ birthday. He wants us to give Him gifts....
Does Christmas Bring You Peace?
Christmas is fast approaching and I see many people scrambling to get ready for this very special day. Everywhere I go I remind people what this day really is about. I think about how the Bible talks about the events of the shepherds in the field so many years ago when the angels appeared to them saying:
For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Suddenly a multitude of heavenly host were praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth, peace, goodwill toward men (Luke 2:11,13,14).
I love to read this event in the Bible. We surely do need peace and goodwill on this earth. And it is possible in our hearts because of Jesus Christ.
Peace and goodwill comes when we take time to meditate on what Christmas really means. This is Jesus’ birthday. He wants us to give Him gifts. The most important gift we can give Him is our self! What else can we give Him? How about the gift of obeying His Word? Or the gift of serving food at the mission, or visiting forgotten ones in the nursing home, or the gift of visiting someone in prison, or bringing a smile and praying for a hospital patient who has no one to bring flowers or send cards. We live in a hurting world, so the ways of becoming Jesus’ extension to people are limitless.
Another way you can have peace this Christmas is to stay out of debt. When you do your shopping, ask yourself, “Can I pay this bill off at the end of the month?” If the answer is no, then look for an alternative, affordable way to give. Get creative with your gift giving. Bake or make something. Maybe give of your time. Many people would love to have help on a job they don’t have time to do, or can no longer do. Remember JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that symbolized the true meaning of Christmas--JESUS.
- He shaped the candy like a “J” to represent Jesus’ name.
- He kept part of it white to signify the purity of Jesus.
- He added red to represent the blood Jesus shed for us.
We call this a candy cane, but now you know the real meaning of the candy cane.
When we shop for our gifts this season, we will choose each gift carefully, hoping to bring joy to the person it is for. I like to place a candy cane on the top of each gift symbolizing that the greatest gift ever given to mankind is JESUS. You may want to do the same. Be blessed and at peace as you remember Christ this Christmas.