Let's Have Christmas All Year

December 6, 2003

           For two thousand plus years the world has been celebrating Jesus’ birth.  The sights, sounds, Christmas smells and the gathering of families call us home for this wonderful time.

            The joy and love of Christmas warms my heart.  It’s about God reaching down to man by sending His only Son Jesus, born in a stable.  After 33 short years he voluntarily allowed himself to be nailed to a cross to save us.  He changed the course of humanity in just three short years.  Where else will you find love, sacrifice and forgiveness?  That alone is reason to keep Christmas in our hearts all year.

            Jesus had no earthly possessions.  He brought love, healing, peace and hope.  For that he was ridiculed, mocked, persecuted, scourged, beaten and killed.  Just imagine, if you can, that Jesus had never been born, or that King Herod had succeeded.  The thought makes me shudder.  But Jesus came and because he did, I have a blessed hope.  He lifts the hearts of the downtrodden.  He heals the broken hearted.  He removes the pain of yesterday and restores joy for tomorrow.

God’s Son’s name was given even before he was born.  “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, his kingdom will never end”  (Luke 1:30-33 NIV). 

Because of Jesus, we are hopeful.  The grave is not the end.  We will live again and that dear friends, is the reason to have Christmas every day of the year.

            I love Christmas.  Jesus gave me a precious gift and because I’ve been given the gift of life and salvation, I want to give gifts of love and friendship. 

            It seems to me people are more tenderhearted and joyful at Christmas time and the celebration of Jesus makes me happy, bringing cheer to my heart too.  My husband says I have Christmas every day.  Well, why not?  It’s the greatest news planet earth has ever received.

            A Savior is born.  We have been redeemed.  Our sins are forgiven.  He is the hope of mankind.  What a Savior!

            How can I not celebrate?  It’s the greatest event of all time and I will love every minute of it.  I will remember to celebrate Jesus, not just at Christmas, but every day.

            Let’s have Christmas each day of the year by producing ”the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.  There is no law that says these things are wrong”  (Galatians 5:22-23 NCV).

            On that Christmas morn, so very long ago.

A Babe in Bethlehem was born so all may know,

We have been redeemed from sin’s dark ugly stain,

No more hopelessness and strife

But hope and peace again.

Such joy our hearts contain,

His love it cannot end.

What wondrous joy and peace from

That Babe of Bethlehem!