Christmas Re-Decoration

I read the blog of a woman that used to go to our church, and it completely changed my view of Christmas. She pointed out facts that all of us know, I had just never put them together properly. You can read her blog post here.

Here is what I already knew:

1. In the US everyone celebrates their loved ones' birthdays like a national holiday.

2. When it is someone's birthday we give them gifts.

3. Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

4. On Christmas we give each other gifts.

Stop right there......Do you see where we've all been getting it wrong???? We give each other gifts on Jesus' birthday instead of giving Him gifts. Why do we treat His birthday differently than everyone else's??? According to our other customs, the person receiving the gifts should be the one who's birthday it is. I don't know why I never realized or thought of this before. It makes so much sense. I guess I just got so used to how people think this birthday should be celebrated that I never questioned it. Of all the birthdays in the world, Jesus' is by far the most important. He came to this earth to save us all from our sins and died on a cross so that we could have eternal life. So why are we taking one of the most incredible days of the year to celebrate ourselves??

Now don't get me wrong, I have been guilty every year of giving gifts to everyone but Jesus. And honestly, I don't think there is anything wrong with giving gifts to your loved ones. But after reading this, I do believe that our biggest gifts and the ones we spend the most time focusing on, should be the gifts we give to Jesus. We should give more gifts to the Birthday boy, than the attendants at his party.

So how do we give presents to Jesus, a man who doesn't walk this earth anymore you may ask? Well simple, it is spelled out in His word:

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

-Matthew 25:34-40

God tells us, that the small things we do for the least of us, we also do for Him. So this Christmas, I have challenged myself, and I also challenge you to celebrate Jesus' birthday properly this year. Give to those less fortunate, and in turn you also give to Jesus- the birthday boy!

Need some ideas of what to give? Well check out these organizations: Samaritan's Purse,Partners International Harvest of Hope, World Vision, Gospel for Asia. They each have an online or mailable brochure where you can look through and buy all sorts of things to help people all over the world. A few of the things that stuck out to me were:

-For $9 you can feed a hungry baby for a week

-For $75 you can rescue a child from exploitation

-For $15 you can teach a child to read and write

-For $45 you can provide fruit tree seeds to a family providing them with food and an income

-For $85 you can provide clean water for a family

-For $7 you can provide a hot meal

Also, consider gathering your family and volunteering at a local shelter or organization near your home. Adopt a family and help them have an amazing Christmas, provide clothes or food to your local shelters. There are SO many ways you can help, and these ideas are a good place to start. There are gifts ranging in price from $4-$1000 dollars. Consider celebrating this holiday, i'm sorry BIRTHDAY, correctly this year. I know I will be! Happy Birthday Jesus!