Christmas...this year doesn't really feel all that significant. I think that's probably because my family didn't take the time to decorate, put up the tree, or anything. It really...bothered me inside, but what I have really come to recognize is that, none of that is important at all.
What is important is that we take time to exam our hearts and notice, are we recognizing the birth of a Savior? Are we making time for Jesus? Are we sharing the story of the birth of our Savior and how He came to save us?
The only time I ever get to hear the story of the birth of Jesus the most is in church when I go to a Christmas service and sit with friends. In my family, during all my life we've never taken recognition of Jesus's birth, which it never bothered me growing up, but now that I am an adult I have noticed that IT IS important Jesus's birth is shared throughout the Christmas season.
What I really want to do tomorrow for Christmas (technically today) is to share the story of Jesus's birth with my family both here at my Mom's house and Dad's place. I want them to know how great it is that we have a Savior and what He has done for us! I know I may face the stubbornness of my family, but I am willing to face that because I love my family, they need to hear the good news of Jesus. :)
What I have also noticed in my heart is, I have been feeling selfish. I have sat here thinking, "oh, where is my presents? where are my gifts..." How selfish and ignorant is that? Pretty childish of me. I know deep down, my family can't afford to do gifts for anyone at all. They can only afford to do a decent meal for us and THAT I should be thankful for along with my family. God has blessed me with clothing, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, a loving family, friends, a boyfriend, food to fill me, my family, and friends for this Christmas. He has blessed me with a Savior as well. I should be VERY thankful.
In my heart, it should be about Him, not gifts. I am really praying that I can keep my eyes focused on Him and what God has done for us by having Mary giving birth to a Savior in order to save all of us from sin. I mean, I seriously rather pray that not only for myself, but for all of us, in realism. That's vital. I don't want us to fall into temptation and being all, "yes, I've gotten, this, and this...blah blah blah..(insert whatever gift name here)" because that temptation is immensely easy to fall into. I've done it for all these years not knowing that sin, and now that I know I've sinned in my past, but again, I am forgiven for such sin, I want to redeem and make a change in my heart to do what is right for my Lord, and I want to inspire you all with my thoughts in this blog to do what is right for our God as well this Christmas, and all the Christmas seasons to come before our Lord returns to us.
This Christmas to be honest, I am actually more thankful than ever because God is using me in such awesome ways that I can't even begin to explain to you all. God has really worked on my heart just this little time I've been home. It's only been a few weeks and He's inspired me to use a blog to do ministry, exam my heart to do what is right and use my journey to inspire others to do what is right for the glory of Him...etc.
In this season, like I've mentioned earlier, my family can't really afford to get gifts which is what I've found to be realistic..I found out a lot of things about my family and what has been going on here since I've been gone.
Since I am not receiving any gifts that I know of from my family, I am actually thankful that I am NOT. Why? God is teaching me the value that gifts are not important compared to Jesus. I am so blessed to be taught this lesson in such a fashion.
Items of the world are NOTHING compared to the gift of a Savior. He is teaching me that the blessings of a family, friends, food on the table, and Him are so much more.
The story of a Savior is what truly made my Christmas season so significant and God made me really exam my heart and reflect. I want to share the story with you all so that maybe, He'd do the same on your lives and make you realize what an awesome God we have for giving us a beautiful Savior.
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
I think what is so cool is God has chosen a woman, Mary who suffered from many things such as not a high self esteem and was a virgin, and no matter the hardships she praised God...He chose her for such a task to give birth to the Savior of the world. How cool! Then He has chosen the shepherds; the lame of the town of David to hear of the message of a Savior is born, to spread that news and to VISIT the Savior in the manger! Then the wise men come to give gifts, then the angels are praising! How awesome. I love that God has chosen the one who struggle or who aren't noticed, but give God all this praise the most to bear such awesome news or give birth to a Savior because they didn't have all the attention. Still, they continued to NOT have all the attention despite what was going on from God! What is cool, Jesus was mentioned back in Genesis and God spoke of a Savior from the very beginning of creation.
How awesome. God never ceases to amaze me as a follower of Christ because His word is peace to my heart in knowing of the promise He has made for me. :)
I pray that this Christmas season that God will put peace in your hearts knowing that there has been a birth of a Savior and He is to return to us. Also knowing that He did indeed die for our sins on that cross on Calvary. I pray that all of you will come to realize that Jesus is the true gift on Christmas and in the season of Christmas all of us will realize what is truly important in the season opposed to just opening gifts, receiving, and giving the gifts. That we will feel compelled to share the story of Jesus's birth with anyone and everyone this season and the seasons to come of Christmas and anytime of the year.
I pray blessings to you, your families, and friends this Christmas season and upcoming New Year.
Happy Christmas!
Merry New Year! :D
Sincerely,
Mak Attack
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