“To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult with every year.” E.B. White
I recently read that Americans will spend an estimated $719 BILLION dollars this year on Christmas. That is up $100 billion from four years ago! I also read that 10% of presents bought this holiday season will break before New Year’s Day. And a little less than 25% will still be in working condition by next Christmas!
This means we will be spending over $450 billion dollars this Christmas on things that probably won’t even last one year. Over 2,000 years ago God gave us the most fantastic gift that will last an eternity….and… it’s FREE!
I think it is fair to say that the Christmas season can easily distract us from what Christmas is all about! Beloved, as we approach Christmas next week, may this holiday hypocrisy not be true of us.
Over the next few days, I’d love to help refocus you and your family’s hearts towards Jesus. I encourage you to carve out some time with loved ones to reflect on the most amazing event in history — God coming to us.
Below is a simple, six-day reading plan that you can do every day. Read the verses out loud together. Talk about what they mean. Pray together, thanking God for our Savior’s birth.
- Day 1: Isaiah 7:13-14 & Isaiah 11:1-10 Prophesy of Jesus
- Day 2: Luke 1:26-38 Birth of Jesus Foretold
- Day 3: Luke 2:1-21 Birth of Jesus
- Day 4: Luke 2:22-40 Jesus Presented at the Temple
- Day 5: Matthew 2 Wise Men Visit the Messiah
- Day 6: Luke 2:41-52 Boy Jesus at the Temple
May all our hearts prepare Him room this Christmas!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor