Today is Christmas Eve. For most of us this day will bring up many memories from our childhood and years growing up. So many things from years gone by that we connect to on this day is often now considered something of the past. Families have stopped many traditions that previous generations held so dear. Life sure has changed. One example is the catalogs from Sears, J.C. Penney, many can remember referring to them as “wish books”. We would turn the pages, circling items making our list. Now we have Amazon and so many avenues  to shop online. Evidence of progress they say. 

Many of us lived in a household with a strict budget that didn’t allow for us to receive all the items we circled but it sure was fun to dream as we turned those pages. Children today similarly make lists on Amazon and are sure to show their parents. So while times are different, in many ways our hearts and thoughts remain strongly connected to excitement at Christmas time. 

The anticipation at this time of the year makes it appear that the focus is about gift giving and receiving, sadly for some it is. People eagerly focus on what they may receive as much as making certain to buy that perfect gift for others. But, we know that Christmas is about so much more than that. Christmas is about a gift, the most perfect and precious gift ever given and ever received. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, The Messiah. The one prophesied about for so long. 

It seems that the true meaning gets lost in all the trappings of the season. Families gather and get trapped in the excitement of opening the gifts and eating all the delicious food. This year let us all take time to sit together and read the Christmas story in Luke 2:1-20 and actually making the effort to read the remainder of the chapter. Then spend time sharing what that birth means to you. Praising and honoring Jesus for leaving all of heaven to come to earth, born for the purpose to be tortured, ridiculed, beaten and to give His life for the sins of mankind. His birth, death, burial and resurrection is the most important gift we have and will ever receive. Spend time in prayer for us to devote our life to His service, to sharing His word with others. Pray for those who do not know Him. Make plans to reach out to those who come to your mind as you pray. Make this Christian holiday in 2024 about Jesus Christ. 

Happy Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas to everyone.