The Joy Of Christmas

It is Christmas Eve. For a lot of people, today means different things. For me, it means having a house full of family, the Christmas tree shining brightly with lights and more wrapped presents appearing under the stiff branches (all the way to the couch!), the smell of food wafting through the house, and lots of laughter. Toss in some barking dogs, horses outside deciding they want to be mud pies, and some pizza – things are looking pretty wonderful.

I look around and see my family. My friends. My animals. My home. I feel joy and wonder and gratefulness and excitement in my heart. Why? Because Jesus has blessed me so, so much. Jesus has given me a family who is always there for me, and when I see them happy and make them laugh… I see a glimpse of what Jesus must feel when He looks at His children. And His children are us. All of us.

Christmas is a big hastle. Let’s be honest, everyone knows it. You have to buy presents – which means earning money – and then you have to wrap said presents. If you have a big family, this can turn into a fiasco rapidly (and does). For me, gift buying is rather insane because I feel like my family deserves a 5,000 acre ranch somewhere with everything money can buy – and all I have money for is some socks and candy. Obviously, I feel like my gifts don’t do justice.

Here’s the truth – none of our gifts do justice. None of our gifts will bring true happiness, nothing we do or give will fulfill anyone’s need for Jesus. Only Jesus can bring true joy and life! Our material gifts will pass away. Giving gifts is cool because you see the person’s face light up, hugs are given, and you feel truly excited because they’re happy, right? So, if we can feel such happiness over gifts we give each other… how much joy must we feel knowing Jesus Christ our Savior came to earth as a human baby to give us all the Greatest gift? Unimaginable, unreachable, insane joy we can’t even fathom!

Christmas is the time of year where we celebrate Yeshua’s Gift. Now, Jesus wasn’t born during December and there are little things people argue about history wise – but honestly, those things shouldn’t always be what we focus on. We need to open our hearts to the Gospel – Jesus’ Love, not whether or not he was born in a barn. The truth is: Jesus was born as heaven’s perfect lamb. Jesus died for our sins – he was ridiculed, beaten, hurt and humiliated. Why? Why did Jesus, the perfect prince,  suffer all those things? Why did Jesus let Himself be harmed, while his mother and all the people he loved watched? Jesus did it for us. Me. you. Every stranger you ever see. Jesus died so that I could be here today: enjoying my family and being safe and warm.

That is where the joy comes from. Joy is from Jesus. Christmas, full of family and gifts and joy – it is all about Jesus! And His Gift to us. None of us deserve it, we can’t earn it, we can’t match it… and yet, Yeshua Messiah loves us. How amazing is that?! And that’s what Christmas is about. It truly is. Christmas doesn’t have to be big and spectacular in gift giving or decorations – what matters is how we share the Gift and make Jesus have a home in our heart, so He may decorate our spirits.

God bless you all, and merry Christmas!

-Angela

How is your Christmas Eve? What are your favorite Christmas movies? One Christmas song you have on repeat?