For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
You may not feel much like celebrating Christmas this year. You may be tired, in pain, or simply not feeling well. Even wrapping the presents may seem like too much to do. You may not feel “Christmas-y”. Christmas Eve may feel like any other day of the year.
Our family tradition is to open gifts on Christmas Eve. That is our “Christmas.” In the past it has been a joyous day, filled with anticipation. We have young children in the house again, and the Christmas excitement is usually contagious.
But not this year. This year the house did not get decorated. Half of the gifts are unwrapped. This morning I do not even want to get up and get dressed. We will have company on Christmas Day and I am not in a company mood.
But you know what? It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if the tree is not decorated. It doesn’t matter if the gifts are given unwrapped. It doesn’t even matter if I am still in pj’s and a robe when we open gifts. It doesn’t matter if my gifts are not opened late on Christmas Eve because I need to sleep.
None of what I usually call “Christmas” matters.
What matters is that Isaiah 9:6 came true over two thousand years ago. The child was born. The son was given. The government is on HIS shoulders. We were given our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace.
May God bless us, every one!
I pray you have a Christ filled Christmas.
Father God, Thank you for the gift of all gifts. May be not get ensnared with gifts, decorations, and all the external wrappings of this day. May we realize that Christ is all we need and we can celebrate that gift no matter what our circumstance. Amen and amen.