Traditions.

Christmas is a time that is filled with traditions; ones that you celebrate as family. From going to the tree farm, and selecting the perfect tree to cut down and bring home, to decorating sugar cookies with friends. So far this season I have done both of these things, along with many others; but in light of the recent events taking place in our world, I have been struck with how thankful I am that for me and my family Christmas is more than a tree, cookies or gifts.

For some, accepting God's gift of His own Son is the hardest gift to open on Christmas morning. Maybe it's easier to wrap up toys or clothes, than to open up their own heart to a gift that is beyond our human understanding.

The fact is, the angels we place on top of our Christmas trees, that we work so hard to get to stand up straight, represent the hosts of angels that came to the lowly shepards over 2,000 years ago declaring,

 "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

Luke 2:10-17

The lights that we string around our tree, and adorn every eve and crest of our homes, were originally placed to showcase the fact that Christ is the 'light of the world.' The gifts that we spend hours agonizing over and wrapping are meant to represent the gifts that the wisemen brought Jesus after following a star.

This Christmas I challenge you to pause, even for a moment, to reflect on the simplicity of a baby; a baby that came to save the world...a big task, but not one to large for a God that loves us so much. The gift is simply waiting...it might not be the most flashy gift under your tree, but it certainly is the only gift that will last forever.