That's What Christmas Is All About

                                                        
                                    

Like many people, one of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  I've watched it practically every year since it's debut in 1965.  I think I only missed it about 3 or 4 times, since I was five years old.


Every year it's the same thing.  Charlie Brown looks into his empty mailbox, receives no respect from the actors he's trying to direct and is ridiculed for his choice in a Christmas tree.  He feels alone and depressed.  All around him is the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and he doesn't enjoy it at all.  What's it all about, anyway? 

Then his close friend Linus tells him.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
   And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
   And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
   For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
   Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  Luke 2: 8-14 

Christmas wasn't about decorations, presents or Christmas cards.  It wasn't about the music, the play or the Christmas Queen.  It was about the God in the manger.  The God that loved us enough to become one of us.  The God that wanted to transform our lives and one day give us the ultimate renewal.

We are like that tiny Charlie Brown Christmas tree...outwardly insignificant and worthless.  But as Linus said, "All it (we) needs is a little love."  God offers us that love.  To Him, we aren't worthless at all.  To Him, we are worth dying for.  That's why He came to us as a tiny baby, to one day die on the cross for us.  Once we accept that Love of God we are transformed, as that little tree, into something beautiful.  We don't do the changing...God does it.  He gives us an extreme makeover...from the inside out.  The beauty of the Presence of God in our heart shines forth outwardly.  We are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Reach out to accept the best Gift, this Christmas.  It doesn't cost a thing.  His name is Jesus.