Last night as Hubby and I were shopping for our son and I was getting angry. To be honest, I was more than angry; I was seriously steamed!Why?
Because the store didn’t have what I wanted for him. We had a week to go and nothing to give him. We found plenty for our Nephew.
“Great!,” I thought, “We can all sit around the tree Christmas morning and watch Nephew open his many gifts and not have any for our son”. I could hear the thoughts in in our son’s head…..wondering why his own parents were more worried about someone else’s kid; why Nephew had 20 presents to open, while he had 4;
The difference is our son has everything he could possibly want and then some. Nephew doesn’t own much in this world. When he came to us, he had everything he owned in one bag (not a very big bag at that).
Shame on me! We got Nephew things he NEEDS. Our son HAS everything he needs. I, a self-proclaimed Christ follower, let Christmas turn into something it was never intended to be. In my mind, I turned our son into a selfish shallow monster……which he is not. I know he’s been taught better.
Christmas isn’t about stuff, it’s about the ultimate gift. The gift of Christ. It’s about giving to those in need. It’s about paying it forward. It’s about passing on messages like this poem. It’s about the love of Christ:
‘Twas The Night Before Jesus Came’
written by Unknown Author
‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “it’s not here” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
I’m going to refocus my thoughts on the true reason for this season. I’m not going to let the enemy steal my joy.
Forgive me my selfish ways, Lord. I will try harder to show the love and mercy You displayed; to open my heart up to those who need love and understanding the most; and not get frustrated with things that are out of my control; and most of all to pass on the message that this is not really our home. You will return one day soon and I don’t want to be caught up in the worldliness that won’t mean diddly squat in Your eternal kingdom.
Metamorphic Grace 