The Real Reason for the Season

 

  During this festive and busy time
of the year it is so easy to get caught up in all the festivities and craziness. All that is well and good but in my humble opinion, I believe that Christmas would be even more beautiful if we spent more time focusing on the true meaning of Christmas....Jesus, the Son of God!
 Most of us put a lot of thought into the
gifts that we will give to our family and friends but how often do we ask ourselves,
"hmm, what should I give Jesus today!"
    Or, "I wonder what His favorite color is?" If we are truly honest with ourselves I am pretty sure most would not be able to say that we ask ourselves that question or similar questions at Christmas.
I am not proud to admit that I used to be one of those people until one Christmas day not too long ago.
    Like pretty much everyone else, I love Christmas, I love
the music, I love the beautiful colored lights, and most of all, I love
the "comfort and joy" that seems to permeate the very air we breathe through out the entire Christmas season. Everyone seems to be in love with life and all the beauty that is Christmas!
   On that particular Christmas, I started to think about what I DON'T....................................................................................
like about Christmas...I don't like all the temptation that comes
disguised as cookies, and cakes, and all the other "holiday" foods.
That brings me to another thing I don't like about Christmas, it's the
very word "holiday". It really isn't the word itself, it's more about
the fact that the word "holiday" is now supposed to replace
words one associates with the season such as "Merry Christmas,"
and "Jesus Birthday."
   So now every where you go this time of year you may hear,
"Happy Holidays" and "It isn't really Jesus birthday, anyway!"
Well in my opinion, if it isn't Jesus birthday, then let's cancel
Christmas! yes cancel Christmas, instead of canceling Jesus
the true meaning of Christmas. Come on, we know that Jesus 
wasn't really born on Christmas day, but if one IS going to
celebrate it, then it should be celebrated in His name.
   So, it would be safe(and of foremost importance) to 
give God the glory and praise for sending His precious son to
be born as a man so that we all could be delivered from the curse of sin and death and have the abundant life He promised. That is
the real meaning of Christmas.
  During this time of year, perhaps the best gift we can give
anyone is the gift of time! There are many people who are lonely, and depressed, and truly alone. Perhaps some of them may feel or be that way all the other 364 days of the year, even so, there is
something about the arrival of Christmas and all it's sparkle, that
causes the lonely and hurting heart to break in a whole new way.
   So this Christmas, I am looking to for people, places, where
I can be His hand extended, where I can share the love of God, even if it is in some small way! If you know anyone that needs to
know, or be reminded that they are loved, that they are not alone,
reach out to them in some small way. We have all heard it said
I'm sure, "it is more blessed to give then it is to receive," and it
is true!
   If on the other hand, you are the one who needs to know or
be reminded that Jesus loves you, that He was born, and died, and
will come back to take you home with Him one day then please
know it is not a fairy tale, Jesus truly loves you! you are not alone! He loves you, and so do I. If you need prayer or a reminder then it is you I am talking to and about here, more importantly, it is He who is talking to you here. You are loved, you are not alone, call on His name, He will hear you!
   
    

To walk on water

I truly love to read about this in the Word of God! I always try to put myself in the disciples place. I mean imagine, there I (or you, or anyone) am on a boat sailing along my merry way not concerned about what makes that boat float, or even about what keeps it from sinking. Then, all of sudden an angry storm threatens my very life. I am aware that Jesus is asleep below. I know He is there, I am so sure he will wake up and run up here where I am in the middle of the storm and rescue me, comfort me, help me! Instead, to my great surprise and horror, He is no where to be see. He is not even trying to help me. I am so scared, so sure death will arrive any minute. I am a bit angry He says He loves me, He has promised to hear me when I call, and yet, so far He has done nothing to help me, doesn't He realize I am about to go under?

         It is at that moment that I realize I see something in the
distant darkness! It is raining so hard, I am so cold, and scared, and
wet, I can't tell who or what it is I see,yet I feel my fear melting
away and giving way to joy, and hope. It is then that I see Him
could it be? could it really be Him? No, I tell myself, I must surely
be seeing things! I have to test the waters, I have to know if it is
really Him.
     I ask Him to help me walk out to Him if it is really Him.
He smiles and stretches out His arms of love to me. I feel all my
old crippling fears stir inside me like angry bees. Yet, something
about His face, it speaks peace, and joy, and courage to my
trembling heart. I look deeply into His beautiful eyes so bright,
so full of love, so full of love that I feel warm and strong.
     I take a deep breath, I tell myself not to dare look down,
or even think about it for a second because if I think about it there
is no way I will do it. Before I know it, i feel my feet leave the
safety of my boat. For a few glorious moments I feel something
I have never felt before, I feel bold and fearless!
    Somehow I know that I should keep my eyes on Him.
I know some how that I shouldn't look at the deep and dark water
below my feet. I try to tell myself that if He is there, there is nothing that I can't do, nothing! not even walk on water. I am so
full of fear I must look down. I need to see how deep and dark and
cold the water below my feet is.
   The minute I look down, I realize that I am no longer walking
on the water, I am no longer safe, instead, I am sinking quickly!
I am ashamed to even look in His direction, yet I must. As I
look across the water,gaze into His eyes once more, I am fully
expecting Him to be angry at me, to have a dark frown shading
His loving face.
    Instead, I see the same smile, the same love filled eyes. His
arms are still outstretched, still welcoming me. The next thing I
know, I feel His loving,strong arm reach down into the icy waters
and gently lift me up and onto the boat. Once I am safely back
on the boat, He wraps me in His loving arms and I feel more loved
than I ever felt in my entire life!
   I try to apologize for not having enough courage, enough faith
in Him and His love. As I open my mouth to speak He smiles and
says, "I will never leave you or forsake you, I will be with you
always." I am warmed and comforted to my very core!
   I go below and quickly get out of my wet clothes. I crawl
into my nice warm bed . As I drift off to sleep I promise myself
that I will never doubt Him again, I will have more faith It is the
least I can do. After all He gave His very life for me, how can
I not?