Have an eChristmas
Christmas is “the” light that has come to shine through or lives. It is the favor of God showing us His compassion. It is Emanuel (Christ with us) that touches our hearts with joy. This gift is our everlasting light, an open door to God’s grace, planted as a display of His splendor.
Why on earth would an eChristmas be appropriate today? Mostly because it can cut through the fear, doubt, unbelief, anger, and sadness that might be floating around in the air. This is a good time for all of us to reflect on what we have and how to move it forward for our good and the good of family, friends and community.
Our eChristmas begins when we accept “the” gift. These gifts are not wrapped in silver or gold paper and tied with red and green ribbons. These gifts are empowerment tools, destined to affect our hearts and minds. The source of peace, hope, joy, and love are all generated from the mind. You are what you think.
The endorsement:
God promises to enlighten our path, guide us continually, and expose any darkness within us (hindrances to our growth) to bring internal change. This light has the power to conquer our hearts and bring about lasting change with the good news of the gospel.
Christmas tree lights seem to dance as they sparkle and brighten the area they’re in. If you’ve ever watched the stars at night in a clear cloudless sky, they blanket the heavens with wonder. Enlightenment of the heart has the same dazzle and wonder. Heaviness is lifted and the newness of having the gospel’s good news in the soul creates all kinds of possibilities.
The Lord will encourage us through every sorrow or disappointment to bring about a good end. Why? Because the presence of Jesus in our life is greater than the facts surrounding our life. When we treasure and trust the presence of Jesus over His presents, we can live in a joyful safe place from within. No one or thing can stop God’s work!
If you’ve ever, just once, looked into the face of a little child who jumps into the arms of a parent from a distance, without thought – then you know what courage can do. If we approach the difficult times with the simple trust of a little child, it will make a world of difference in how we see and manipulate in our world. We become encouraged by Jesus based on His resume not ours.
Jesus is our exchange passage. Through Him unbelievers embrace the gospel and are changed. Picture “the” light of the world as an open door, changing whatever needs to be changed in our lives. Instead of bronze, He will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. (Isaiah 60:17) It is God’s grace that frees us from the dominion of sin which forever changes us – never to be the same.
What does change have to do with Christmas? Glad you asked! In the beginning the serpent (Satan) thought he had stopped the plan of God in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He did not know about the omnipotent power of God who sees the end from the beginning. God changed the course of evil immediately with His plan of sending Jesus to earth as an infant to save the world. His birth was the change agent for man’s redemption. An exchange prophesied from the beginning of time.
My two most exciting times of the year are Christmas and Resurrection Sunday (Easter). I love them both, and strangely enough, we can’t have one without the other. It is only when people focus on Santa, gifts, parties, and merrymaking – instead of the Messiah (Jesus) – that Christmas can become a burden. Rarely do people focus on the light of Jesus for the heart to bring love, peace and joy. Not being able to gather like usual or spend large amounts of money on frivolous things or party-hop across town might be the biggest blessing of all time! Now maybe we can search our hearts and minds for the real purpose of Christmas.
Merry eChristmas!
I absolutely love this explanation of an “eChristmas”. I couldn’t agree more that it is a blessing for me to spend some quiet time searching my heart and mind this Christmas, not because I do not understand or because I don’t focus on what Christmas really is, but it will actually allow me some time for self-care by spending some extra quiet time with Jesus. Thank you for taking the time to write this, Gayle. I love and appreciate you. Christmas blessings to you and yours.
And, thank you Ashley. I believe that Christmas is so sweet! It gives us the humility and compassion of the ONE who loves us dearly. Let’s keep Christmas right through the New Year and spread it around. Blessings to you and yours also.