Good afternoon everyone!! I had an entirely other post planned for today but I really feel led to share this simple message.
Why are you doing everything that you're doing today? Many of you are preparing meals, getting last minute gifts and things needed for your celebrations today and tomorrow. But why? What is your reason behind all of it?
Family... Seeing the face of a child light up with joy as they rip into a wonderful surprise... Snuggling up with your loved ones and enjoying each others company... It's what you're supposed to do right? Christmas is celebrating with family, opening presents, putting aside differences and coming together for the cause of the season.
What is the cause?
Why are you putting on a smile and putting up with those family members that you can't stand anyway? Why are you putting so much effort into a meal that will be devoured in no time? Why are you spending money you don't have for things children don't need? (I'm guilty too!)
All of these things aren't bad, but how good are they? They are only as good as the reason and intent in which you're doing it.
This season isn't about family or gift giving, these are just things we do in celebration of the reason.
You see, with this season comes a great, great gift! A gift that was given so that we could be welcomed into an eternal family free from condemnation and sin!
Jesus humbled himself and left the throne of God to come to us and rescue us. That miracle, that sacrifice, that gift is why we celebrate! We celebrate with our family in honor of the greatest family!! We spend money to give our very best in honor of the one who gave what money can't buy!
As we're preparing our meals, spending time with family we love and family we strive to put up with, while we watch as little children tear into the gifts that seem to cost so much, let us do it all with a different mindset. Let God awaken our hearts to His will in all of it.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord, not for man.
- Colossians 3:23
Let us remember the real reason we do all of things. Let extend the gift of grace to family that we don't think deserves it, because we do not deserve the gift that was given to us!
If you do not know in your heart what I am talking about and you've only known the Americanized, watered down version of Jesus then look up this story in Luke chapter 2. Look for the NIV (New International Version), unless you can understand it please don't try t read King James or New King James versions. You can find it on biblegateway.com
Enjoy your celebrations! Merry Christmas!
~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford
{This message is also posted on my other blog, sunflowersandweeds.BlogSpot.com }
