As the years go by, each Christmas becomes more festive with decorations celebrating the holiday season. The expression of the day has become “Happy Holidays!” Amid parties, gifts, decorations, lights, and music, the real meaning of Christmas has been lost in all the holiday wrap and shuffle. We live in a day when many do not know the real significance of Christmas. It’s not happy holidays. It’s Merry Christmas, Jesus the Savior is born.
This was never more evident to me than when I decided to find a Christmas sweater. I didn’t want one of the ugly ones that might win “The Ugly Sweater Contest.” I wanted one that would remind people of what we were celebrating–the birth of Jesus. I wanted a sweater displaying the nativity scene. Little did I know what a difficult task I was undertaking. It took me a diligent search of five years to find that special sweater. There were plenty of sweaters with Santas, reindeer, ornaments, etc., but when I asked for a nativity scene, the response was always, “We don’t carry such things. May I interest you in a Santa sweater?”
I’ll never forget the day I spotted the desire of my heart–a royal blue background with a colorful display of God’s grace–the birth of His Son with the angels, wise men, and shepherds. And much to my surprise, it was marked down to 75 percent off. It was such a beautiful and meaningful sweater, but it appeared no one cherished it but me.
It seems that everyone is celebrating Christmas these days, even those who claim they are not of the Christian faith. As the celebration increases, the true meaning of what we commemorate is dimming. Each year more cards and people say “Happy Holidays” and more nativity scenes are removed from public display.
Many people see their greatest need as more financial resources, better health, love and acceptance, and a purpose in life. God desires to give us all these things, but our greatest need is forgiveness. God sent us a savior born to save the world—an innocent baby born in a humble stable manger who would one day give his life for our sins so we could be forgiven and have the gift of eternal life. This gift is the greatest gift the world has ever known.
We live in an increasingly dark world. Just turn on the news and you’ll quickly be overwhelmed with wars and protests, natural calamities, increasing debt and bankruptcies, crimes and murders, and we’re still recovering from a major pandemic with chronic diseases continuing to rise.
In Matthew 5:16, the Bible tells us, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In the midst of this darkness, the only true light is the light that shines in our hearts through our words and deeds. The greatest story ever told is being put on a back shelf gathering dust, making me want to wear my sweater even more.
As we approach this Christmas, I pray that others may see Jesus in me. As I sign my Christmas cards “Have a blessed Christmas” and proudly wear my nativity sweater, may others catch a glimpse of that eternal light in me.
May the sweet aroma of Jesus in all of our lives convey the true message that Jesus is the reason for the season. No, It’s not Happy Holidays. It’s Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Jesus the Savior is born. May we never be afraid to say, “Merry Christmas.”, share the good news of His birth with others, or wear a Christmas sweater that portrays the real meaning of Christmas. May we show others the real significance of Christmas.
Here’s another message on YouTube:
Six Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Weight During Christmas
Here’s wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas.
Ginny
Click for free download on Tips for Lowering Your Breast Cancer Risk and Smoothie Recipe
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com.
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