Thursday, December 19, 2024

Read Acts 20:33-35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35

“Keep Christ in Christmas, remember we’re celebrating Jesus! Keep Christ in Christmas, and all throughout the year!”

The aforementioned was the chorus of our main song in my school’s 2019 Christmas play. I was in fifth grade, and I had done a Christmas play the year before and gotten a main part—Mary. I’d auditioned for the next year’s play in hopes that I would get a main part again—I was, after all, a fifth grader; the highest of the highest when you’re in elementary school.

I got Ensemble. I’m pretty sure I cried in disappointment.

But the main theme of the play was Keep Christ in Christmas. Our director, Ms. Nowell (who ended up being one of my favorite teachers) would often berate us for mumbling the song and mixing up the lyrics, but at least she got the main point etched so firmly into our heads that even I remember that song five years later.

One thing about Christmas is that it is entirely about Christ. And there are many ways we can spin this—it can be about God’s love, Christ’s humility, Mary’s commitment, Joseph’s bravery. But one of the ways I like to think about it is this: God sent the greatest gift of all—His very own Son. And in giving us this gift, He has granted us the grace to draw near to Him. And not only that, but to give gifts to each other.

I’ve noticed that a lot of people seem to have differences of opinions on how to celebrate Christmas. As for me, I like to think of it like God has given us the Greatest Gift, and we celebrate that gift by giving to each other on Christmas Day. Family gatherings, traditions, and sparkling trees have all been developed by the culture, and those things are all blessings as well—I assure you, there’s nothing wrong with a Christmas tree. But the gift-giving of Christmas, inspired by the One Greatest Gift, is one of the greatest blessings of all.

Prayer:  Thank You, God, for sending Your Son to us to save us from sin. Thank You for giving us the ability to give gifts to each other. Please give us the grace to remember that Christ’s gift is the greatest of them all.  Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Am I open to the gift of Jesus this Christmas?

Chloe Fitzwater

PRAYER FOCUS:  Those caught up in all the “things” of Christmas