John 4:10 Jesus
answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks
you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living
water."
Many
of us are currently under pressure trying to get the right gifts for our loved
ones, friends, and acquaintances in order to make them and us feel good at the
same time. I see people with lists in the mall, weary with shopping and
frantically checking off names, before hurrying to the next store. Drivers
constantly cut in front of me, racing towards other stores to get the latest
item, gadget, or toy before they inevitably sell out. I even feel some of this
undue pressure on myself as I try to work out the best evening to set aside in
order to put up the tree and some outside lights. Christmas is coming fast and
we are all suffering from an artificial urgency, as well as a self-imposed
slavery to the commercial necessities of a religious feast gone astray.
Jesus
is the gift of God and we miss out on the life refreshing blessings that He has
to offer us. When He was born in Bethlehem, Christ was wrapped up in simple
rustic swaddling clothes and not over-priced designer wrapping paper. His birth
was meant to bring peace into the world, as opposed to the unyielding pressure
we annually experience. If we honestly knew Christ as the gift of God and did what
He simply asks of us – to believe in Him as the Son of God and Savior of the
World – then we would ask Him for an everlasting peace to descend into our
self-panicked souls, as well as his immortal love to reside in our harassed
hearts.
Christmas
is about The Gift of God. Jesus is graciously given to us out of God’s wonderful
love, so that we would not perish under a pile of presents, parties, and
pressures, but thrive on being thankful for forgiveness, restoration, and
everlasting life.
Question for personal reflection
Am I willing to
let go of the unreality of Christmas commercialism and be embraced by the
everlasting reality of Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are God’s greatest
gift to the world and we can be truly blessed by allowing Your Spirit to
release us from the present pressures and lead us to the everlasting joy of
Your peace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin
Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment
on or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is called “Advent 2012” and features John’s four special Advent drawings
for this year. Churches all over the world are using these images in their
bulletins, worship services, and Christmas outreach campaigns. If you would
like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8191609401_655228761a_b.jpg
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