Have you ever noticed how busy the Christmas season gets sometimes? People are running around shopping for gifts, putting up decorations, planning parties, and baking away. Sometimes the flow of cash going out brings on a lot of stress and so does the juggling of the parties and commitments. Do you ever just asked yourself: “What does all of this have to do with the real meaning of Christmas?”
This past weekend I was at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership retreat. It is always planned the first week of December because it is between seasons (not fall and winter, but football and basketball). Many people say it is difficult to attend because of the holiday season. There are too many things to juggle.
This weekend I watched 149 young people pressing in to get closer to Jesus. They could have been doing a million other things, but they set aside a whole weekend to pause and enter the presence of the living God to see what He had to say to them. I was touched. They truly understood the REAL meaning of Christmas. It’s Jesus.
My challenge to you is to follow their example. Find some time between now and the 25th of December to steal away with Jesus. It doesn’t have to be a whole weekend. It could be for a day or even a few hours. Make it a priority. Choose to turn down a party invitation or scale back on the decorating or baking and take that time instead to be with Jesus. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a new way. You’ll be glad you did. He’s waiting for you. What are you waiting for?
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.