Christmas is filled with lots of experiences, and this year promises to be filled with new and different experiences. As children, many of our fondest memories came from Christmas. As adults, Christmas has become a very busy time and, if we are not careful, we can miss out on the true meaning of Christmas.
| I remember getting ready for Christmas morning when my children were younger. Of course, we wanted to surprise our kids with the best toys. While the looks of joy and surprise were always rewarding, there are still a few words that haunt me from those Christmas Eves: “Some assembly required.” See, I am not the most talented man with tools and the assembly of things; especially small tools, little parts and countless stickers that must be placed in just the right places on toys. And it seems the coolest toys always required assembly: dollhouses, riding toys, trampolines and so on. Then on top of all that, I think Albert Einstein always wrote the directions, and he did so in Chinese. Seldomly did my kids never want the toys with some of the most blessed words you can ever find on a box at Christmas Eve: “No assembly required.” |
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So on Christmas mornings, I would wake up a little tired, decorated with scraped knuckles and various bumps and contusions, frustrated that the toys for my kids did not look exactly like what was on the box (and several adults would later remind me of that fact). But I would pull myself out of bed, go excitedly wake up the kids, and watch with great satisfaction as they joyfully enjoyed Christmas morning. I think a lot of the joy from children is that deep down they understand that they do not have to assemble all that stuff. But in the end it was worth it because I would be blessed with a great hug and a most special: “Thank you, Daddy!” |
“Some assembly required.” Many believe their spiritual lives requires some assembly on their part. How frustrating and tiring that must be, always working toward something that you cannot understand how to do, nor ever complete! I am so thankful that on that first Christmas morning, God assembled the perfect gift for us–His Son, Jesus. See, Jesus is the real meaning of Christmas. God’s Word clearly shares with us the importance of Christmas in a great prophecy about the birth of Jesus: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)
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Only God could prepare such a personal gift for us: "… unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…" Jesus suffered for us, He bore the ridicule of our sin, and He died for us; so that we could experience the life and joy that comes only from His Gift. From our perspective: “No assembly required.” We just have to accept His Son in repentance and faith. “Thank you, Heavenly Father!”
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His Gift is not just for us, but God wants everyone to know and enjoy the salvation for which He has already paid the price. We are commissioned to share the greatest Christmas Gift of all — Jesus.
Merry Christmas! We at Bogard Press hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Let us take the time to worship Christ in our local churches through Sunday school and congregational worship and with our families in our homes this Christmas. May we all remember Christ at Christmas and share the true meaning of Christmas every chance we get.
Sincerely in Christ,
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