THE GIFT EXCHANGE

Christmas is near. The stores are filled with people hustling and bustling to the accompaniment of joyful holiday music. As I mingle amongst my fellow shoppers, I wonder how many of them are hurting inside this Christmas. If you have lost a loved one or you don’t have the big, happy family portrayed in the seasonal movies, then you are not alone. Those holiday songs have the potential to cause you to be melancholy rather than merry. Sleigh bells jingling—bells are ringing—people singing—no escaping—fa la la. How do we get through this?

Stop and listen. Can you hear the baby crying in the manger? If not, take a moment, open your Bible and read Luke chapter 2. Then sit back and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Dwell not on who you lost, but on who you gained when God sent His Son. His gift to us makes it possible to see our loved ones again in Heaven. His unfailing love, His sacrifice, and His power over death are the greatest gifts of all. How can we not give Him the glory at Christmas? In fact, it is a gift exchange. We may not feel joyous, but if we praise Him anyway—give Him our sacrifice of praise, adoration and worship, He will fill us with hope, comfort and peace. The Christmas carols we sing that celebrate the birth of Christ fill our hearts with the love that came down so long ago. Our Savior is truly the reason for the season and He is worthy of our adoration and praise. Fix your eyes on Jesus this Christmas. He offers hope from the manger.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)