WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS? This question often gets asked as we gather with family and friends to celebrate the season. To me it is a difficult question to answer. Not because I have not had any “favorite” Christmases, but because I have had so many!
There are some favorite Christmases I remember from my childhood and some from my teen years. And there are some truly great ones as a newly married couple and of course when the kids were small. Yes, there are even some favorite ones from the not-to-distant-past.
But, what is the best Christmas ever? Well, I suppose to be honest I would have to go back a few years, in truth many years. I would have to say that the best Christmas ever was the one from which we derive this celebration’s name – the “first” Christmas. Now, lest you think I am giving you some pastoral cop-out, hear me out.
You see, if it were not for that Day, the day that the baby Jesus was born, then all this time of celebration, family time, gift-giving and receiving would be for not. It is because of God’s great and gracious gift 2000 years ago that we are able to have “favorite” Christmases today. It is His gift of love, mercy, forgiveness, joy, and peace given in and through the Person of Jesus, the Messiah, that allows us to sing the carols and enjoy the gifts.
So, take time this Christmas to give thanks to God for His indescrib-able gift, the Gift that makes Christmas possible. And if by chance you have not received this Gift of Jesus Christ, allowing Him to be Lord and Master of your life, then why not do so today, and make this your best Christmas yet!
Merry Christmas! Christ, the Savior is born!