Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Getting Ready for Christmas

What will you do to get ready for Christmas? Decorate? Shop? Eat some fruit cake? Isn't it amazing what people will do because of Christmas? My wife is normally very che--er--frugal. She keeps after me to increase the firewood supply so the heat does not run. She stays afetr the boys to turn off lights and shorten shower times to save energy and water. She always looks for the best gas price. Then, all of a sudden, after Thanksgiving she puts on a push to drape our house in lights and runs them several hours each day. Why? Christmas! Marla really isn't a shopper, but she was up and shopping by 4 am on Black Friday. Why? Christmas.
You know, Christmas does bring changes. It can make the grouch temporarily kind, the selfish generous, and the cold-hearted nostalgic.
What has Christmas done for you? No, I am not talking about the Christmas holiday, but about the Christ of the holiday. Christmas really is about change. Jesus was born and changed the world. He even changed the way history is counted. Jesus. His parents were told to name Him "Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Jesus. The name means "God Saves." Yahweh God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The "I Am." The source of all there is. This Jesus came and changed the world.
I hope He has changed your life. Not for a few days, but for eternity. That is CHRISTMAS.