Friday, January 09, 2009

Christmas Memory

Christmas 2008 is now a memory. Our presents have been opened and many already exchanged or even placed in a drawer and forgotten...toys already broken. Christmas pageants are over and the lines the children worked so hard to memorize have already mostly been forgotten. The cookies, candies and goodies have all been enjoyed and eaten (and we have the extra pounds to show for it).

All the decorations from our homes and churches have been packed away for another year. Even the bright lights that had adorned our homes have gone out. Each piece of our nativity scenes have been carefully wrapped and put away. Even baby Jesus in his manger has been packed away.

I'm afraid, all too often, many of us pack away Jesus, not just physically but in our hearts as well. The joy of Christmas gets trampled for the next holiday coming up on the calendar and we think we just don't have the time.

Maybe we've begun to neglect our devotions, or perhaps our Scripture reading has been squeezed out due to a busy schedule or just plain laziness. Maybe we've missed a few weeks of church because of all the visits over Christmas. Maybe we are facing a trial.

Well maybe...just maybe... instead of packing Baby Jesus away we could leave Him out where we might see Him often and be reminded to praise God for the gift of His Son...given as a tiny helpless baby...This Baby Jesus who made it possible for you and me to have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with God. This priceless gift given to all is a one size fits all, not to be forgotten and can't be broken or lost, if only we accept it. Each day as our eyes open to a brand new day, it's just another opportunity to remember God's gift and then praise and thank Him. There is a Christmas song with the line "If every day were like Christmas what a wonderful world this would be." Well, every day for a Christian IS Christmas. Keep the joy of the Christ Child in your heart each day of 2009 and share it with as many people as you can.

The world is a joyless and lost place without Jesus. But we can share the gift of Jesus that just keeps on giving and giving....

Luke 2:9-11 - "An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

A Savior for you and you and you and you and you.......
Glory to God in the highest!!

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 35 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of two grandsons. She serves at America's KESWICK as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

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