“I didn’t
recognize you!” my niece remarked, after doing a double take.
That’s okay.
I didn’t recognize her either, until I took a minute to really look at the
young woman holding my great-nephew. I was wearing a short wig, and she, a
blonde from birth, had died her hair brown. No wonder we didn’t recognize each
other at first.
This
Christmas season I’ve heard a lot of Christians grumbling about not hearing or
seeing “Merry Christmas”, as though how others greet us, or what is or isn’t
written on a paper coffee cup, determines whether Christ is recognized this
Christmas.
The truth is
that Christ is the whole reason for the celebration of the day. His name is the
foundation of the word Christmas. But,
do we recognize Him in the season? Are we slowing down and taking the time to
really look for Him amidst all the busyness? Or do we give a cursory glance,
like my niece and I exchanged recently, and end up missing Him? Are we
depending on store clerks and coffee shops to point out Christ at Christmas?
My prayer is
that we are seeking Him ourselves, like the magi that first Christmas who asked,
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we
have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:2)
Where can we
find Jesus this Christmas?
In sharing church services with
friends and family
In spending time alone with God and
His Word
In serving others as cooks, maids, waitresses,
gift wrappers, babysitters, etc
In entertaining ourselves with books
and movies centered on Him
In joining family devotions centered
around an Advent wreath
In choosing Christmas cards that
reflect our beliefs about Christ
In selecting gifts that speak of His
love as well as ours
In playing Christ-inspired music as
we decorate, feast, and celebrate
On her blog,
Kristen Welch offers 30
Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas, but I think Kristen's ideas will also help us recognize Christ this Christmas. Check them out!
Enjoy the
season!
Blessings!
Pam
©2015 Pamela D. Williams
