What Should I Think About at Christmas?

Christmas is crazy. Think of the myriad of different ways people celebrate this season. Some put up lights and decorations, sing a special genre of songs, eat special, seasonal foods, etc. Some go to church for the first time all year. Others spend about 2 months talking about an all-knowing person who rewards the good, not with salvation, but with...TOYS. There are so many different reactions, traditions, and responses to this season!

So what should be our meditation during Christmas? What should fill our thoughts? And with what should we fill other people's thoughts (including our children)?

Christmas Meditations
During the Christmas season, think about:

1. Jesus Christ taking on flesh. The incarnation. God came to us!
2. What this involved. An infinite humbling. What a distance from heaven to earth! What a descension! What an experience! God in the form of a baby! Oh, the sheer magnitude of Christ's taking on flesh...
3. Why did he do it? For his own glory. To gather to himself a beloved people. So he could die... To pour out his love and grace on sinners!
4. What this means for us. What a difference it makes that Jesus came! We, who deserve the righteous judgment, condemnation and wrath of Almighty God, now forgiven, pardoned, justified, sanctified, adopted, awaiting future glory!
5. What this means for others. There are still people who do not know; who have not heard. How can they believe unless they hear? How can they hear without a preacher? How can someone preach unless they are sent? Our generosity at Christmas must not be limited to helping the poor have a meal, or toys for their children. The incarnation of Christ means much more than that! Give the gospel. Pray for the nations. Join Christ afresh in his glorious, church-building work!

In short, during the Christmas season, meditate on JESUS CHRIST and him crucified! Behold the glory of the One who came to save! Fill your mind with awesome, heavenly thoughts of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And fill your family members' minds with such thoughts! Fill your children with thoughts of Christ, rather than thoughts of greed, materialism, idolatry, and worship of another man (Santa), to whom is ascribed miraculous power, devotion, and glory.

Oh, God! Set our minds on Christ! Set our hearts aflame with the gospel of your grace! Thank you, praise you, that Christ came!