A Merry Christmas
| “Mary” was harried and hurried when I met her that cold and wet December morning. “Have a Merry Christmas!” I exclaimed as I held the door open for her as she exited the store. “What’s so merry about it?” she sighed. “My husband is laid off, we have very little money for Christmas, and I just locked my keys in the car.” “Marvin’s” face lit up as we sang Christmas Carols at the nursing home where he lives in a tiny, dimly lit room with a roommate who is hard of hearing and on oxygen. Marvin seldom has visitors. |
He spends his days making crafts and giving them away. He testified in church, “I don’t have many visitors and I probably won’t get a Christmas gift. But I’ll have a Merry Christmas because God has given me the greatest Christmas gift of all – His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sins.”
Today multitudes rejoice and honor their Savior born on Christmas Day. But many also hate him, are apathetic, or complain about Christmas Carols and displays of the nativity scene. Is Christmas a joyful time of the year for you? How can you have a truly Merry Christmas no matter what circumstances you find yourself in? Consider the three wise men.
First – they SEARCHED. Their journey was difficult and dangerous. To have a real Merry Christmas you may have to search around the secular commercial hype of the world. The wise men searched with their hearts. God has a promise for all who seek him wholeheartedly. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)
Second - they followed the STAR. Fables are full of magic. But Christmas is full of miracles, might, mystery, and majesty. This star that guided them to the stable was supernatural. It would stop and start. Those who honestly desire the true light can have the Holy Spirit to guide them. When you really see Him as the “Star of David” and the “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16), how can you not have a Merry Christmas?
Third – they worshipped the SAVIOR. (Matthew 2:11) “For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-22 NLT). There can be no Merry Christmas without a Savior. Sin robs us of the peace and joy of the Lord. His blessings come to those whose sins are forgiven by faith in the Savior. Like the wise men, fall before Jesus and worship Him as Savior and Lord.
Fourth – they gave SACRIFICIAL gifts. “Then, they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). David said, “I will not offer . . . offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (II Samuel 24:24).
Fifth – They SWITCHED directions. “They departed unto their own country another way” (Matthew 2:12). That speaks of repentance. When you find the Christ of Christmas, your life will be changed. Like the wise men you will switch directions. You’ll have a new life and a new destination.
