LEARNING DAILY

 

Psalm 105:1-4, Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing Psalms to Him; Talk of His wonderous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face for evermore!

 

The song on the radio the other day was about not wanting Christmas to end.  Let’s just leave the wrapping paper on the floor and do it all again tomorrow. Christmas begins in the stores just after the back-to-school push is over.  That puts the season beginning in about September.  After that we are all reminded continually that presents need to be bought or a certain present might be gone. Sometime in November the tree goes up, houses are decorated inside and out and the much-anticipated delivery of presents by a jolly old fat guy riding in a sleigh driven by reindeer who fly begins. I always wondered how he got down the chimney and through the fireplace until I saw the Santa Claus movie showing how he got slimmer as he went through the chimney and the fireplace magically enlarges so he can deliver the presents.

 

I am all for Christmas not ending. I enjoy the Christmas music and the anticipation of family being together. Now that everyone is older, it is more difficult because - well, there are other things to do and other places to be. I agree with the song and believe Christmas should be celebrated every day of the year. I love having my family together, listening to the talk, the laughter, sharing the memories, and the anticipation that goes with the season.

 

However, there is a deeper need to keep Christmas in our hearts every day. It is the gift to each of us of the Savior born that day; God’s gift to a lost people who have no way to save themselves. Being a good person is not enough; heaven is not filled with good people – it is filled with saved people (Dr. Ed Newton). I wonder if we should open the precious gift of salvation each day by taking the time to be thankful God loved us enough to send His Son to take our place on a cross for the sins we have committed? We remember and give thanks to Him who gave His life that we might be able to walk on a narrow way that leads to His eternal kingdom. We find our joy in this and share with others by how we live our lives (as one set free from the sins we have committed) and the joy of knowing our eternal home is with Him. Read the portion of Psalm 105 above again. Actually, you should take the time to read the entire Psalm.

 

I would like Christmas to be every day, living with anticipation of the one who is coming. No, it isn’t Santa Claus we anticipate. You and I need to live each day in the anticipation of a trumpet sounding for the church to meet the Lord in the air.  Ephesians calls it a church without spot or wrinkle which is only possible through the cross. Yes, I rejoice in the salvation I have because of the obedience of the Son who came to earth in the form of a baby to take my place on a cross.  I look forward to that trumpet sound that I might join Him for eternity.  If He decides to take me to His kingdom before the trumpet sounds, that’s okay.  What a happy day that will be!

 

I am going to do what I can to have Christmas every day in my heart! I need to!