The story is told of a father who decided that Christmas was going to be different this year. He called a family conference and challenged his family to be more disciplined in the management of their time during the busy Christmas season.
They had to curtail excessive spending on gifts. He talked about better relations between visiting relatives and a more congenial atmosphere around their home. He brought his speech to a crescendo with his final rally cry, “Let’s make this the BEST Christmas EVER!”
His second-grade son countered the big motivational speech by noting, “But dad, I don’t see how we could ever improve on the first Christmas.”
This is absolutely true. The first Christmas was wonderful in so many ways. It reminded us of God’s love. A love so strong that Jesus came to us. It reminds us of the grace of God whose message is for all people; no matter their background, culture, wealth, or social status.
We cannot forget about the humility of Jesus coming to earth to die for the sins of the entire world. The humility of Jesus is demonstrated in the Christmas story when Jesus was born in an old inn, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and placed in a manger.
Yes, indeed. The first Christmas was wonderful. May we center our lives around that first Christmas? Remembering the true meaning of Christmas, and allowing God’s message to be seen in us. Let’s pause and celebrate that Jesus came to us while we were yet sinners and that He died for our sins.
