A Memory With A Purpose…”Create The Memory That Will Last”

 

Just a few more days until Christmas.  The stockings are hung…the house is decorated…the baking is almost finished…the packages are wrapped and the guests are invited…are you ready or do you have more things on your “To Do” list before this special day?  Do you have all the gifts purchased or do you still have the worry and stress of buying just a few more…or baking more food…or perhaps even decorating the Christmas tree?

 

Just a few more days until Christmas.  The stockings are hung…the house is decorated…the baking is almost finished…the packages are wrapped and the guests are invited…are you ready or do you have more things on your “To Do” list before this special day?  Do you have all the gifts purchased or do you still have the worry and stress of buying just a few more…or baking more food…or perhaps even decorating the Christmas tree?

Why do we believe that we must live up to the world's standards during this Christmas season?  Is it so that we can justify the buying of gifts, the attending of parties, and the display of decorations that are scattered throughout the house…or perhaps to justify the excitement and anticipation of receiving gifts that have no purpose or lasting memory towards the real reason and purpose of the Christmas celebration?  Okay, I must admit, I get caught up in all of these things, and after the day is over, I look back and say, “yes we had a great Christmas”…according to the world’s standards…but did we create a lasting memory with our family and friends that reflected the birth of Christ?  How many times have you felt the same way?

Do you and your family want to create a memory that will last forever?  Then focus on the true meaning of Christmas and God’s gift of ultimate love.  Slow down and spend time in His Word reflecting on His love, grace, and mercy.  God sent His son Jesus as a free gift that has more value than any other gift you will receive…and He is your forever gift.  He did not have to send His son Jesus to be born into humanity, but He did…because of His love and our need for a Savior.  He made the plan and the choice to send Immanuel…so that we might have “God with us.” 

The gift of the Christ is the most astonishing gift that has ever been given and will ever be received by mankind.  No one will ever be able to buy or give a more valuable gift.  “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16 NET)  This gift was given to you free of charge and will bring all those who believe in Jesus the Christ…hope, joy, peace, love, and everlasting life.

This Christmas day spend some time with family and friends in God’s Word reflecting on His love.  Jesus is the memory I want my family and friends to remember on Christmas Day.  He is the Joy to this world…and His love is everlasting.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! 

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David, 1719

May your hearts be filled with His love and may all who experience His love receive Him this Christmas Day.  Merry Christmas!