A Quiet Christmas

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:1-7

This passage is the simple Christmas message. There are no frills, no fancy trees, no rushing to find the perfect gifts.  It is the simple message of the humble birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus.

We are now in the midst of the Christmas season.  There is so much commercialism that Christians forget the true message of Christmas. We are bombarded with advertisements that flash fun and excitement before our eyes.  Our children are begging for the latest toy or game system.  Ladies, even our eyes sparkle with the dream of having a special gift under the tree.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating the Christmas season.  We each have our special traditions to follow. Gift giving is not wrong if done within your budget.  However, are we truly remembering the reason for the season?  Are you making Christ the center of your Christmas celebration?

If you do not already do so, this Christmas start a new tradition. Before the kids look for Santa gifts, the presents are unwrapped, and you fill your tummies with all the delicious yummies, have a quiet, simple Christmas moment.  Gather your entire family together and read the true Christmas story from Luke 2.  Discuss what each character may have felt and what you may have experienced if you had been at the birth of Jesus.  Who knows, dear sisters?  There may be one person in your family who does not know Jesus as their Savior.  This simple Christmas tradition could open the way for them to ask him into their heart.  Now there is a cause for celebration!