By Kelly Moore
So, what is it about Christmas that makes me love it so? Is it because I love getting presents? Is it because I love giving presents? Is it the cooler weather or the possibility of snow? Is it all the beautiful lights and decorations all over town? Is it the time spent with family and friends? Is it the story of baby Jesus? These are all things that I love about Christmas, but they are not the foundation for my adoration of this season.
You see, it is now after Christmas. It is time to put up the decorations and take down the trees. It was not my intention to wait and post after Christmas. I had so many thoughts of what I wanted to write but none would come together. Now, I know why God wanted me to wait.
You see, it is now that the decorations are going away and things are getting back to a regular schedule that I have been surrounded with the joy of Christmas. Seems odd right? My joy comes from the realization that, even though the actual holiday is coming to an end, the Holy Day of Christ’s birth was just the beginning. It was the beginning of God’s plan to rescue us. It was the Creator of the Universe making His first sacrifice – allowing a part of Himself to become man – so that He could see, hear, taste, smell, and touch the way we do. He already knew us, but He wanted to BE us – flesh and blood. It is such an amazing love that it causes me to shudder as I think about it. His divine feet touched the very soil of our earth. His holy hands held the hands of His mother as they walked along the dusty paths. His eyes saw the very sun and moon that I see today. He heard the birds that He created singing their joyful tunes. He breathed our air as He laughed, talked, sang, prayed, and cried.
Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son int our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
The birth of Christ was God’s revelation that it was “time”. The ultimate plan for the salvation of all those who would believe was beginning. God’s Son came to live among us. But not as an earthly king or a strong warrior. He came as a baby boy. The lamb of God. The final spotless lamb sacrifice of all time to forgive us of our sins. Oh, the love that was shown to us.
Jesus Christ was born, grew in wisdom and stature, taught, healed, loved, died, rose again, and returned to the Father. But that’s not even the end of the story! He is preparing a place for all who believe. He is coming again! Shout Hallelujah for our Christ will come again!
So, I ask the question of myself again. What is it about Christmas that makes me love it so? It is simply a love from the depth of my heart directed back to the One who first loved me. My Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, who loved me enough to die for me, to rise from the grave, to return to heaven to prepare a place for me, and to come back for me someday.
That is the joy of Christmas!
Copyright © 2015, Kelly Moore, all rights reserved, Reprinted with permission from the author. Painting courtesy of Kelly Moore. All rights reserved. Scripture from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
Kelly is a follower of Christ, wife, mom, teacher, musician, and artist. She is an observer of people and nature and is working on how to truly “live love”. She talks to birds and butterflies, and has been known to rescue baby snakes. She loves to get her hands dirty in the flower garden, and can lay on the sidewalk at night and watch the moon and stars for hours. Kelly just loves living!
You can follow Kelly at
http://www.livinglovewithkelly.com
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