What about Christmas?
So what is Christmas about?
Santa? Decorated Trees? Frosted cookies?
And who is Christmas for?
Little kids? Family time? Merchants?
Ah
there we go.
A
little baby.
When I
was in first grade, Sister Rosemary
confirmed what my parents had told me.
confirmed what my parents had told me.
That
Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
That He
was the son of God who came to earth
so that I could be in heaven with Him one day.
As I got older, I learned more.
The Bible told me that God came to earth
in the form of a baby and grew into a man.
That He was born to a virgin named Mary
through the intersession of His Holy Spirit.
That’s a miracle.
I
learned He was the promised Messiah and
the gift of salvation to all people, everywhere.
What I noticed in this photo is His outstretched arms.
This reminds me of my babies;
how when I put them down,
their little arms would reach up.
They wanted to be held again.
They
didn’t have words yet
but what they were looking for
was a relationship.
This image made me think of another time that Jesus stretched out His arms.
so that I could be in heaven with Him one day.
As I got older, I learned more.
The Bible told me that God came to earth
in the form of a baby and grew into a man.
That He was born to a virgin named Mary
through the intersession of His Holy Spirit.
That’s a miracle.
the gift of salvation to all people, everywhere.
What I noticed in this photo is His outstretched arms.
This reminds me of my babies;
how when I put them down,
their little arms would reach up.
They wanted to be held again.
but what they were looking for
was a relationship.
This image made me think of another time that Jesus stretched out His arms.
His
arms opened wide
in submission and obedience
when He gave His life on the cross.
The Bible tells me that
He suffered and died a horrible death
for my sins.
Think of it this way.
If I committed a crime and stood before a judge,
the judge would demand that a fine be paid
because of my disobedience of the law.
I would have two choices ~
I could pay the fine,
or I would go to jail.
If someone paid it for me,
the judge would be satisfied
and I would be set free.
That’s what Jesus did.
He paid the fine for MY sins.
His open arms reveal
His willingness to give everything
to be in a relationship with us.
The next image I remembered is that of the risen Christ.
in submission and obedience
when He gave His life on the cross.
The Bible tells me that
He suffered and died a horrible death
for my sins.
Think of it this way.
If I committed a crime and stood before a judge,
the judge would demand that a fine be paid
because of my disobedience of the law.
I would have two choices ~
I could pay the fine,
or I would go to jail.
If someone paid it for me,
the judge would be satisfied
and I would be set free.
That’s what Jesus did.
He paid the fine for MY sins.
His open arms reveal
His willingness to give everything
to be in a relationship with us.
The next image I remembered is that of the risen Christ.
The
triumph of the cross is evident
in these arms.
The bible tells me that he died for everyone.
Jesus opened His arms with
an invitation into relationship.
The bible tells me that he died for everyone.
Jesus opened His arms with
an invitation into relationship.
Regardless
of our background,
we are invited to enter that relationship.
He doesn’t care about labels
or preconceived ideas.
He desires relationship with us ~ not religion.
These arms are open to everyone.
we are invited to enter that relationship.
He doesn’t care about labels
or preconceived ideas.
He desires relationship with us ~ not religion.
These arms are open to everyone.
So, the question ~ What is Christmas about?
My new revelation - It’s about the whole package!
Not only His birth but also His death and resurrection.
No one else has done that.
And ~ Who is Christmas for?
It is for all of us no matter ~
what we call ourselves
or what we’ve done
or how many questions
or how much we resist Him.
His opened arms tell us the whole story.
And here is a bonus question ~ Why is this so important?
as the world began to rotate,
when God planted his garden,
and created man and woman,
His purpose was to have a personal relationship
with every one of us.
Not a cross-your-fingers hope, but a deep and settled peace.
I’ll tell you that no matter how old I get,
I'm finding that there is always something to learn,
that my perspective needs to be flexible.
My prayer this holiday season is that
each of us will encounter Jesus in a new and unexpected way.
And that the hope that is born at Christmas
will grow deep in our minds and hearts in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Content and Image 2024 © Charlene M Campanella (May not be used or reproduced in any fashion without written consent from the author)
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