Every year I experience the same feelings and they usually start surfacing even as early as September. It’s these feelings of sadness and dread for what lies ahead in the coming months. I’m talking about all the hype and commercialism that surrounds Christmas.

The true meaning of Christmas gets lost with all the buying advertisements, Black Friday deals, the stress of baking and decorating, and financial strain that most people experience for what they would call the ‘Holiday Season’. Christmas is much more than a holiday! It’s a time to celebrate and reflect on the most precious gift we have, and will ever have… the birth of Jesus Christ!

A few weeks ago I heard an advertisement on the radio as I was driving home from a doctor appointment with my baby girl. It had been a long day and we were in bumper to bumper traffic and all I wanted to do was get home and cuddle up with my family. I certainly wasn’t in the mood to hear anything more about another sale or deal that I couldn’t pass up. When you are faced with a sickness, such as the big ‘C’ like we are dealing with, the last thing on your mind is Christmas shopping. Life takes on a different priority for sure. Anyway, the radio advertisement caught my attention because it started off by saying, “Here’s what the true meaning of Christmas is”. I thought “Hmmm, this should be good”. My ears perked up and I was actually kind of excited to listen because I had not heard any advertisements use the phrase ‘true meaning’ before. Well, needless to say I was left feeling disappointed. Spending time with family and friends made the list but that was about it for anything truly meaningful. The rest of the advertisement was all about the shopping… finding the right gift… checking your list twice… etc., etc. Then it ended with telling you that you needed a trip to the mall to collect all those ‘good last minute deals’? How can this be?! Society has connected the true meaning of Christmas with shopping! This comparison is so sad and disheartening. Yet, year after year, Christmas after Christmas, society repeats itself. The snowball effect is getting bigger and bigger and Jesus is becoming less and less the focus.

Several years ago I went to a ladies dinner with my friend held at her church. At each place setting there was a gift. It’s actually an empty box, beautifully wrapped with a note attached, but yet it’s the most treasured gift under my tree each year. The poem attached is a beautiful reminder of God’s love and sacrifice and what He asks of us in return. Here’s the poem…

My Gift to God

I saw myself at Christmastime staring at the tree.
Seeing all the presents staring back at me,
And that is when I thought of God, His gift I had not bought.
I hadn’t shopped for Him at all…I hadn’t given Him a thought.
So, as I place this gift beneath my tree
I remember God’s gift of Jesus given freely for me.
God gave His Son for my eternal life.
In return I give my heart as thanks for His sacrifice.
I realize the best gift I can give to God is myself.
This is the gift God desires, above all else.

The advertisement I heard that day made me think of this song by Becky Kelly. It was beautifully written by her dad after he was inspired by his grandson’s question “Where’s the line to see Jesus”? It touches my heart deeply that a young child recognized what most adults do not. Enjoy ☺

My prayer for you is that the true meaning of Christmas will resonate deep within you. Jesus Christ was born so that we can have eternal life! He was born to bear our sins and die on the cross for you and for me. That is something to celebrate!! Rejoice and praise God, for Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas!

♥ Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours ♥

Blessings!