Here is Our King

Thanksgiving is over and the leftovers enjoyed, now we prepare to enter the Advent season and make our way to the great celebration of Christmas. In just four weeks, we will prepare ourselves to experience the power of the greatest gift of God, given two millennia ago, and we make our hearts and spirits ready to welcome the presence of Jesus afresh in our lives once again.

In a season this busy, it is easy to lose sight of the true meaning of the celebration. Television Christmas specials, Christmas carols on the radio and the push to help us spend more and more on decorations and presents can easily ease out the deeper, more significant reality of this holy season. Much more than a chance to go to parties, eat special food and share a multitude of presents, Christmas is our opportunity to celebrate to gift of Jesus’ presence in our lives and in the world.

All around us people will be busy shopping and rushing as they fill their lives with activity. Much like that evening in Bethlehem, the chaos of the crowds remains a reality even in our time. People still pass by each other so caught up in their own concerns that the easily miss the needs of those around them, and even more easily miss the presence of the King of kings in their lives.

While the temptation will be for us to enter into the crazy pace of the holidays, a great opportunity exists for us to encounter the wonder of the Savior, and to share the joy of His presence with others. You and I can make the most of this season to pause to thank God for Christ’s presence in our lives and to share the story of God’s love with the world around us.

I remember growing up with Charles Shultz’s “Charlie Brown Christmas.” In the television special, Charlie Brown is being drawn into all of the typical holiday drama by Lucy and her friends. The harder he looks for the true meaning of Christmas, the more it seems to elude him. However, at a pivotal point in the 30 minute special, Linus takes center stage and as the spotlight falls upon him, he begins to tell the story from Luke Chapter 2, “And there were in that same country, shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night….” In just two minutes, he tells the Gospel story of how God loved the world so much that he sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born into that world to reveal God’s love.

Like Linus, you and I have a wonderful opportunity to remind ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas and then to declare the wonder of God’s amazing love to the world. We too, can find the opportune moments when we can tell the story and show people what Christmas is really about.

This year, remember… Jesus is the reason for Christmas, and the reason we can declare the wondrous love of God. As we journey through this season together, let us boldly declare, “Here is our King!”

May your Advent and Christmas be greatly blessed!

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