"Did You Forget What Christmas Is About?"

I've been thinking back over this Christmas season.  Evaluating what I did with my time.  Considering where I put my focus.  Asking myself, "Did I show love and thankfulness?"  "Was I kind or short-tempered?" "Did I consider others and their feelings and their plans?"  "Did we truly show our children what Christmas is all about...not just by our words...but our actions as well?"

For me, the memory-making starts with the decorations and the first snow.  The giving spirit demonstrating unconditional love...to those that live in our home...first!  If you can't do that...it doesn't matter what you do anywhere else...that is just a show!  All you do is show your instability and double-mindedness to your spouse and children...who are always watching you.  Read the book of James!  The meaning builds as the first strains of Christmas music begin.  Actually, this year, it all started with preparing for our Christmas program.  Back this summer, when my cousin-in-law (Is that what I would call Dave?) sent me the music for a song he wrote and recorded on A Quiet Christmas.  "Did You Forget?"  It is a soul-stirring question!  We began practicing and memorizing the end of September.

I think our children understood what we were trying to communicate.  They sang the songs and quoted the Scripture for the program. The program wasn't a beauty pageant.  It wasn't meant to be "cute". The children took the opportunity to tell others about the birth of Jesus seriously.  And many adults...missed the whole message!  It was disheartening to me, to be honest.  We spend time teaching and training our children Scripture and what God expects and why we do what we do...and then the shallowness of our adults blazes through the room.  Moms and Dads, have you ever considered the effects of your words and actions?  It is not an either or situation!  Your children see and hear your instability.  They are learning your double-minded ways.  We are faced with that reality each week as we stand before the children that are in junior church.  We are battling for the minds and hearts of children as we teach what God's Word says.

When the wrapping is pulled away...when the tree comes down...when the cookie platters only hold crumbs...what are you left with?  An empty, shallow feeling filled with regret?  Where was all your effort put this year?  What did you do that will last?  What will the New Year bring?  Will you continue as you are...or will you allow Him to change you...to set you free?

As we hustled and bustled through the Christmas season, some of us have regrets.  We lost our focus and lost the opportunity for sharing Jesus' birth and true joy with others.  We forgot...and lost that time this Christmas to make a memory for our loved ones.  Thank the Lord...we don't have to stay there!  We can seek His forgiveness and start the day with a clean slate!  We have a New Year ahead of us...and we can substitute the word...Christmas in the song with the word...life!

"Did You Forget?"

Did you forget what Christmas is about?  Have life's hardships filled your heart with doubt?  Are you living with some sad regret?  I've got a story you should not forget. 

There was a Baby, born poor and lowly, His name is Jesus, He came for you and me.  His birth forever changed the course of history and He can change you, too, and make you free.

Did you forget what Christmas is about?  Have you gone and left the Savior out?  Did you think that real peace could be bought, when all along it's Him your heart has sought?

There was a Baby, born poor and lowly, His name is Jesus, He came for you and me. His birth forever changed the course of history and He can change you, too, and make you free.

Receive Him as your own and be set free.

What memories do you have of Christmas 2010?  What memories do your children have?

What will you do with the life God has given you in 2011?