There is something magical about Christmas time. Immediately following Halloween, there is a change in the atmosphere. People somehow fully purge their interest in the darkness by Oct. 31st, and on Nov. 1st, everyone begins focusing on the light as we await Thanksgiving and Christmas. We change from a focus on the shadows and mischievous behavior to a focus on the love of family, peace, and helping others. We do all of this in anticipation that Christmas is coming. We begin our preparations and indulge in a season of awareness of others and their needs.
Are we just checking off the “I’ve been a good person” box in a list of things we need to do as we prepare for the coming of the King of kings?
My family and I finally reached the night where we began to “deck the halls” before Christmas. We had the tree standing tall with the lights in hand ready to pass them around the tree until it was lit. My sister asked me to turn on some Christmas music so we could begin (because we all know you can’t decorate for Christmas without the right music).
The first song which played on the radio was “We Need a Little Christmas” and the lyrics continued to say “…right this very minute.” YES! We really do! We need the light, and we need it now! We need it all the time! Why do we think we have to wait and prepare?
I couldn’t help but think of everything I have witnessed and/or know is happening TODAY: Mass shootings, international bombings, racial prejudice, cyber bullying, homeless families and veterans…the list goes on.
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.” Romans 8:15
We don’t need to fear; we don’t need an “all-knowing” presidential candidate; we don’t need to blame others. What we need right this very minute is JESUS!
What a season to be in as we encounter this darkness the world is throwing at us! Why are we still blind to His glorious salvation? He has redeemed each and every one of us and there is victory already pronounced over the dead land that we are witnessing. His Kingdom has already won!
We are in fear of what is happening around us. We are under the illusion that Christ only makes himself known on December 25th, and on January 1st, we return to a life ruled by the world. Our preparations ensure that we have “been good” or “look good” in front of Christ as we make our homes and deeds “ready for Christmas.”
Why are we still living this way? We can come as we are to Jesus Christ. We don’t need to figure everything out before we acknowledge Him. We don’t need to have on our Sunday best to enter the gates of heaven.
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17
I cannot wait to wake up the sleeping people of our generation and bring Christmas and the birth of Jesus in their lives on the other 364 days of the year. What a glorious day is coming on December 25th. What a glorious day is coming for those we meet in 2016. What a glorious day is TODAY as He reigns in our hearts right this very minute.
