It’s a day of wrapping paper scraps strewn about, noise, laughter, music in the background, nibbling on sugar-filled treats throughout the day, being with with family and friends. It’s a day of appreciation, a day of gathering around the colorful, sparkling pine to receive something new, watching those around you with anticipation and hope, open what you gave them while you do the same…it’s Christmas right?

Growing up without the belief in Jesus, Christmas was just another day off…it didn’t hold any particular meaning other than being part of school break. But now, it’s so much more than a day off for me. It’s really a day to remember my gift…a gift that was given to me and a gift that is given to us all.

But gifts are funny things.

They really aren’t gifts unless they are received, accepted and used.

I hope today, that whatever gifts you open, you wear them, read them, eat them, use them fully. Enjoy them.

I also hope that the gift of Yeshua, Jesus, God, is part of your opening and receiving. For some of us, He has been, but we just haven’t allowed ourselves to take in that truth and live out that submission, dependence and trust in Him the way we may truly benefit. We are still operating in a, “I am in control” mindset and find it too challenging to surrender all parts of our lives over to Him. None of us are perfect, we are in process of learning what that looks like. Some of you are searching….

For truth.

For meaning.

For answers. 

For something or someone to believe in. 

You may look to the universe, you may look to crossing your fingers or positive energy that can be given out or received, and though Jesus may seem like a nice guy, believing in Him comes with a cost or He’s just not someone that resonates with you. I know. Been there for most of my life, felt that, lived that. I get that.

For others, we look to Him daily and know where we are going and the meaning our earthly lives have because of who He is. We know that He is God and that we are not, and we celebrate that truth and what He did for us. He died for us. He then overcame death so that we could have freedom which also proved His power and Godship.

For now and for always.

What did He do for us again?

Freed us from the personal consequences of our mistakes that we make pretty much daily, by suffering for us as well as suffering for the pain and hurt that life brings. Pretty sacrificial, isn’t it? But when you love, you sacrifice. You would do what He did for your children at any cost without even thinking. You get it, too.

So today, whatever gifts you open or however you live out this day, I hope it’s a great day for you. May you be blessed with the gift you have in the Lord, His love for you and desire to see you use what He has to offer by opening His gift to you and using it. He doesn’t benefit from it….He’s God. He has all He needs.

You benefit.

Not just on Christmas or during winter breaks.

But always.

Have a very Merry Christmas, Moms.