Christmas Anticipation

Christmas brings lots of anticipation. Around our house when I was a child there was always something going on. Daddy would begin his construction of the Christmas display sometime in October. Mama would begin building cookie cribs at the same time. A cookie crib is a manger stall build out of sugar cubes with shredded wheat floor and roof, and sugar cookies in the shape of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, three wise men, and sheep etc….

There were six children in the family and each of us would get one present on Christmas Eve. So during all the baking and decorating we would greatly anticipate the arrival of our present. When I was younger I never knew what I was getting, but as I grew older Mama would ask what we wanted and then just go buy it. The surprise was gone, but I still anticipated getting what I wanted. I knew that my Mama loved me so much that she would do what she could to buy what I wanted.

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As a young mother, I tried to figure out exactly what each of my children wanted that was within my budget. One particular Christmas I thought I was getting the most awesome present for my daughter. Anticipation of this wonderful moment was high and then she opened the present. She didn’t like what I had given her, I felt bad.

Children usually anticipate the things they will get for Christmas. Sometimes they don’t get what they want and their hopes are dashed. Sometimes they get nothing and their feelings are hurt and they despair. Our society has caused them to anticipate the thing and not their relationship with the giver.

For me, Christmas has become a time to build relationships with family more than a time for gifts. As I read the bible I see that it is all about our relationship with God and how that influences our relationships with people.

Make this Christmas a time to strengthen your relationship with the living God. Sometimes when people pray they are asking for things and not desiring relationship. How is your relationship? Do you only talk to God if you have a need? Do you anticipate things more than time with God?

You are the reason for this season. Jesus came to this earth to give us a way to have a relationship with God. Jesus did not come to become great, He came to help you. Won’t you accept His sacrifice and get your relationship with God on the right tract.

If you don’t know how to proceed, I suggest reading the Book of John in the New Testament and then praying a prayer from your heart asking God for forgiveness and to help you build your relationship with Him. He will hear you and answer. If you do not have a bible you can go to www.biblegateway.com and read any part of the bible in many different versions.

Thank you for taking time to read this Christmas message. Enjoy your week and I will be back next week with more.