What Christmas Is Really About
It’s amazing how God is diligently at work in all of our lives if we choose to look for it, to seek it, to find it…to find Him. I’m told…
It’s amazing how God is diligently at work in all of our lives if we choose to look for it, to seek it, to find it…to find Him. I’m told that faith is an action. When we walk in obedience to God, by faith, God can use us in the most amazing ways to bring blessing to someone else. I’d like to share a story from a family that I hope will bring encouragement to you.
As I was sitting on our kitchen floor wrapping presents for Christmas, I began to reminisce about Christmas’ past. I then remembered a story that was shared with me of another Christmas memory that brought peace and joy to a family.
“I was pregnant with the twins. We lived at the carriage house. The Christmas tree was in the upstairs. I felt so bad because there wasn’t going to be much under the tree. I kept hoping for a miracle. But the stores closed on Christmas Eve. I had gotten the box clock for one of the girls she had mentioned wanting, and a small key board for my other little girl. They each received a mug with little bears. If there was anything else, I don’t remember it. I thought the bad feeling would stay with me when the stores closed and hope of a miracle was gone. But a peace settled over me and it was ok. It was the most meaningful of my Christmases to that point or maybe in my life! At 6 a.m. Christmas morning, my brother and sister-in-law showed up and dragged a couple of large garbage bags filled with presents in for the girls.”
What is the true meaning of Christmas but love? It was love that came down from heaven’s throne to save us. It was love, a dear and precious gift that came to bring us eternal life. It was love that came down to show us love and to teach us how to love and to be love.
Our God is a God of multiplication. If we bring to Him what we have, he will be faithful to multiply it, just as what happened to this family.
Let us look at Mark 8: 1-9, NIV. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “How many loaves do you have.” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present.
How many of us feel that we are in a “barren place” with no provision? At this time of year, the hardship increases as gas prices are soaring, Christmas expenses are kicking in. It might be challenging enough just to keep food on the table for your family let alone have gifts for anyone. Yet in all these challenges, God is faithful to show up. Bring to God what you have, and He will do the multiplying. You see, Christmas isn’t about material things, it’s about love.
What can love do? Love can bring miracles. Love can bring hope. Love can bring peace and joy. Love can bring fulfillment in your life. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV)
My prayer for all of us this Christmas season is to fully enjoy the gift of love and the fullness of what it brings. Merry Christmas and God bless you all!
©2022 Leslie Wittenmyer—All rights reserved