Christmas Legacy
December 4, 2024
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NIV)
Ninety-five percent of all Americans celebrate Christmas. You can do more than celebrate a holiday. This Christmas, you can behold the glory of the only Son from the Father.
Children celebrate Christmas more enthusiastically than anyone. And yet, when you look at the fruit of the Christmas celebration in most of our homes, it makes you wonder what message we are sending them. Does the trail of shredded paper reveal the gift of gratitude or hearts that are grabby and unappreciative?
When the Apostle John wrote today’s verse, he was trying to use words to capture the indescribable and wonderful gift of Jesus becoming flesh and entering our world and lives. For John, he was at the limits of language. The scene at the nativity stopped all the angels of heaven and yet sometimes we don’t stop to give it a second thought as we set up Christmas decorations in our homes.
For many of us – even followers of Christ – Christmas can be centered on shopping, wrapping, cooking, and decorating. While all of these things are a part of this sacred celebration in our culture, they are empty without being centered around real meaning and worship.
You can create a legacy of meaning as you prepare this Christmas season. As you choose to celebrate with gratitude and share His wonderful story, you can pass on thankfulness and worship to those around you.
Allow God to help you cultivate a heart that ponders the mystery of the incarnation instead of being overwhelmed with busyness and to-do lists. Then you will pass on the treasure, not of fleeting gifts soon forgotten, but the greatest and eternal gift of the Savior.
The Holy Spirit invites you into wonder and worship this Christmas season. And as you respond, He will build a legacy of thankfulness, grace and truth into your heart and family.
Prayer: Father, Thank You for the gift of Jesus. When I think about the wonder of Jesus becoming a baby and living in our broken world, all for love’s sake, I am in awe. Lord, help me build a Christmas legacy of wonder and worship. Let the wonder of the nativity scene grow in my heart and my family so that Christmas is always centered in You. In Jesus’ Name and for His sake, Amen.