This Christmas morning I woke like most Americans…to an email inbox jammed with Christmas greetings from various stores and websites I’ve made purchases from this year. Unlike most Americans (who don’t have my impecible sense of comedy and/or deep seated desire to annoy my family) I’ve been announcing every email as it comes in. “Guess what, family…we just got a Christmas message from Amazon!” “Wow! Advance auto parts just sent us a Christmas greeting as well!” “Hold on! Just got a very nice Christmas wish from xfinity cable!” “Kohls not only sent an email…your’re never gonna believe this…there’s a 20% off coupon attached!” Still haven’t received a greeting from Netflix…but fingers crossed…:-)
We live in a world where we are bombarded by phony “personalized” well wishes from corporations and spambots at Christmas. It’s almost impossible to imagine the creator of the universe would personally think of us…but each year as we celebrate Christmas, he does…he really does.
Remember the angel’s message to the shepherds in Luke Chapter 2?
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:8-14
Jesus is good news for ALL people. That includes you. That includes me. Everyone in the world. Throughout ALL time! So have a great Christmas. I hope it’s filled with laughter and joy. I just wanted to remind you that God himself was thinking of you when he sent his son Jesus. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to receive a Christmas wish from Walmart like I did…that has to count for something.
Merry Christmas,
Don