Christmas has come and gone. Many people are perhaps thankful that the New Year is upon them, thankful that the festivities of the Christmas season are over. It’s easy to lose one’s self during the holiday season. Easy to become overwhelmed by the busyness, to-do lists, or perhaps even sadness. Many thoughts and emotions can take over a person’s mind-set.
At the start of this New Year, I think it is appropriate to reflect one more time on the reason for the Christmas season, for it is because of that reason that you and I can live victoriously through every season of life. It’s the reason we should keep at the forefront of our minds all year long.
We are assured of the reason in the Bible when we read the gospels. Jesus came to save us from our sin and our enemies, to redeem us from our past, free us from what enslaves us, and lead us to new life in Him. He also came to show us mercy and to fill us with good things. The gospel of Matthew tells of another wonderful reason for the season.
Listen to this glorious message spoken by an angel, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23).
God is with us! Could there be a more wonderful reason than God coming to be with you and me? Let’s continue with the Christmas story.
Shepherds were in a field keeping watch over their flocks at night when an angel declared to them that a Savior had been born. They immediately began their journey to find the baby. Wise men also heard the message and wanted to go worship the baby. They even took Him special gifts.
Many years ago, a song was composed about a little boy who heard the news of the special baby. He too wanted to go and see Him. The song was entitled, “The Little Drummer Boy.”
The lyrics of this song describe the little boy’s experience as he realizes he had no gift that was fit to bring for a king. But then he had a wonderful idea. He lifted the little drum hanging from his waist and played it very softly, so as not to disturb the baby. He played his best; he gave his all. Even the baby’s mother, Mary, nodded, and the ox and lamb kept time to the drumbeat.
And then came the greatest moment of that glorious night…the baby smiled at him!
We can only imagine what this brave little boy felt in his heart when the Savior of the world found joy in the gift he had given.
Through this sweet song, we are reminded of a simple truth…we all have something to give the Holy Child at every stage of our life. Nothing is too small or too insignificant. God simply desires our hearts to beat with His and for us to give our all, our whole lives, to Him. As we do, we will feel God’s pleasure smiling upon us, too.
In our New Year, let the reason for the season be in our hearts the whole year through.
Written by Lucy Adams
Photo by Greyson Joralemon
