[CHRIST]mas // Blogmas 11

The flames of the fire cast a warm glow on the living room. The stockings hung carefully and neatly: moms, dads, sisters, brothers. The silver ornaments on the tree send glimpses of sparkle across the room when the lights reflect off of them. Carefully wrapped boxes in deep red paper with green ribbons tired around them under the tree on Christmas morning. The cup of hot cider warms from the fingers to the soul.

Christmas is all of these things and more. It is joy and merriment. It is enjoying cold nights watching The Santa Claus with the family. The Christmas holiday is about all these things but oh so much more. The gifts are nice, the decor is lovely, but at the heart of it; what is Christmas about?

While I fully embrace the commercial side of Christmas, I simultaneously spread the true meaning of it as well. Yes, I love the ornaments and the foods; the songs and the movies. But at the heart of it, Christmas is about hope.

The word Christmas itself lends to the idea that Christmas is much more than perfectly decorated packages. The word holds the whole key to the season…[CHRIST]mas. The true meaning of Christmas is written right in the name.

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus…the birth of hope. Jesus brought us hope, salvation, and eternal life when He came as a baby and later died a sinless death. Christmas is where it began. Because He came down and was born, we can have peace and assurance. This is why I love Christmas, because it means I have a purpose.

This year I am really trying to stop and reflect more, I haven’t been where I need to be spiritually lately, and this time of year is really making me stop and reflect on my own life too. As I look back on my life, I love that the joy of Jesus’ birth was always in the forefront and the main thing during Christmas. I hope to do the same with my kids in the future.

Today, as I write this, I am pretty overwhelmed…I’m a little lost in what to do about my future. And the idea that Jesus came to give us hope, is utterly peaceful. In a world of chaos, hate, and business…the fact that Jesus is the physical representation of hope is the only calming thing I can think of right now. Jesus was also sent so that He would know what we go through- another reason to have hope.

I read a quote in a devotion I was doing this season called The Magic of Christmas, and it really spoke to me, “If you’ve ever been frustrated trying to relate to God, just know that he went to great lengths to relate to you. Jesus of Nazareth was and is God’s most empathetic offering.” 

It’s so refreshing to know that Jesus, sent down as a lowly babe, was sent so that He might be relatable to us. Jesus was the representation of hope and the understanding of human life/struggles. I find solace in knowing that Jesus came as a baby in a manger not only to save me from my sins but to be able to empathize and understand my temptations and struggles.

 It’s a beautiful holiday; full of love, joy, and hope. My hope is in Christ alone this year and every year. I hope that in the hustle and bustle of this holiday season that you will take a few moments and reflect on what this holiday is and why we celebrate it in the first place. The season of hope is all because of a little babe that lived a perfect life.

Merry Christmas friends, remember the hope this season! Enjoy the few days left of blogmas!