Christmas thinking

Christmas Eve was always a day spent with family. I have fond childhood memories spending Christmas Eve with my Dad's side of the family. Going to Nana and PopPop's house. Drinking PopPop's homemade eggnog and eating Nana's fruitcake. Opening presents on her lap, one at a time, so we could each see what the other received. 

For years as an adult, I would spend Christmas Eve with my dear unbiological, yet God-given sister and her family. We would eat, drink, and be merry! All night long enjoying each others' company. 

Then as a young parent, getting to share in the magic of Christmas with my children. From the moment Christmas Eve began, with finding their Christmas jammies the Elf left. To the Christmas movie marathon we would partake in. Going for a ride to see all the Christmas lights. The store bought egg nog and Christmas cookies.

Each season was a very sweet one.

That is until I think of the Advent season now. Now really understanding what Christmas is all about has caused my memories of Christmas past to seem shallow. Christmas was never meant to be about the presents, or the lights, or the eggnog. It was never meant to be about the food or drink or merriment. And as hard as it is for me to say this, it was never meant to be about the magic we create for our children, or time spent with family. 

If you aren't a Christian, that most likely doesn't make sense to you. Even if claim to be a Christian, you may have a problem with the paragraph I just wrote. When I became a born again Christian and fully understood the meaning of Christmas my views on Christmas changed. Now I know that Christmas is about the day God sent his son to this Earth. His son named Jesus, who was sent to this world to die for the sins of his people. On Christmas we celebrate the day our Savior came down to begin his journey to the cross. You see, we are to put nothing above our love for Jesus, not our love for our spouse, our love for money, our love for our dog, our love for our job, our love for our parents, our love for our planet, not even our love for our own children. When we put celebrating the holiday season and all the festivities that come with it above worshipping and remembering our Holy Savior, Jesus Christ, who was sent to this Earth to die on the cross for our sins, when we degrade his coming below all other things, we are sinning. We are called to follow God's law (the Ten Commandments) Deut 5 and 6, as well as Matthew 5:17-20. We are told in the book of Deutronomy that we are to love God with all our heart, and soul, and might. By putting all the other festivities above worshipping our Savior Jesus is not loving him with all your heart, soul, and might.

As wonderful as it is to celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, and yummy treats, and festive sweaters and tunes, we are completely missing the mark if that's what we think Christmas is all about. I hope that perhaps I've given you something to think about this Christmas. If you don't have a church home, I encourage you to seek one out. We are not meant to walk this Christian life alone.