Christmas comes but once a year

Christmas is, by far, my favorite time of year. I love getting together with family and eating lots of good food while celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With all the Holiday sales, present buying and wrapping, stocking stuffing, baking, decorating, and Christmas card writing, it's easy to get caught up in all the Holiday hype. I wonder what it would be like without all the extra stuff that comes along with Christmas. Would it still seem like Christmas? Would Christmas still be my favorite time of year without ornaments on a tree in the middle of my living room, stuffed stockings over the fireplace, or a house glowing with lights? I mean, it's still Jesus' birthday, and all that other stuff shouldn't matter. Jesus was born in a plain old manger. I don't think Mary and Joseph bothered with hanging mistletoe or putting lights on the stable.

The messages of most church services I have attended on (or around) Christmas have emphasized the importance of focusing on the real reason for the season. That being said, the sanctuaries of these churches have also been beautifully decorated with poinsettias and trees covered in lights, garland and tinsel. Don't get me wrong, I love decorating and partaking in all things Holiday-related, but I want to make sure I'm celebrating Christmas the way it is meant to be celebrated.

I find myself wondering how Jesus would like for us as Christians to celebrate His birthday. On my birthday, Jesus gave me the gift of life. How can I compete with that!? While I could never match the countless gifts God has given to me, I do hope to give all I can:

First, I believe without doubt that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him wouldn’t perish, but would have eternal life. John 3:16

I will praise and worship the Lord with all my heart.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16

I will try my hardest to give more than I recieve, and to give to those in need.

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35

I give up all of myself to the Lord.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

While we are in the midst of cookie baking and icing, traveling many miles to see relatives we haven't seen in ages, picking out the perfect Christmas outfits, standing in long lines at the store, addressing seemingly endless envelopes, and making sure things are just right for Christmas, may we never forget the true reason for the season.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7