A Merry Christmas for you...

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us) - Matthew 1:18-23

The time of year has come for giving. Giving things to our loved ones to show our love. Giving things to those we do not know to tell of a love by which we have been loved. Enjoying the songs and the merriment of the season while living our normal lives from day to day.

Nothing can change the fact that after Christmas has come and gone, we still remain in our temporal lives. Lives filled with schedules of work and home. Nothing too devout or adventurous. But even so, many shall succumb to the holiday blues and feel a real let down as the new year approaches. Knowing that once the garland is removed, the tree put away, and the presents returned, we are still left with everything we tried to escape from even for a moment. Often we don't carry along with us daily the remembrance for which this feast day is meant to be.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." That for which we are to be waiting has come. He for whom the prophets and the angels foretold is already here. It is not a day in December that we try and remember but a daily lifting of our hearts to He who was given to us as a gift. Given for us as a sacrifice to remove our sin and gather us to Himself. It is not to be left to each December 25th. The incarnation was an event. His birth in a stable one morning in Bethlehem was a finite happening that has infinite worth. Regardless of where you are on Monday morning, or what you receive on Sunday, know that He has already been given to you and for you. Even on December 26th, His birth is and has happened for you. Even on June 23rd, His birth, life, death, and resurrection hold the same weight that day as they do on any other day. Have a Merry Christmas each of you, for the day happened for you.

TW