As we move into a more industrialized, technologically advanced world, life in general is becoming more and more materialized. People are becoming more dependent on phones for comfort, screens for confidence, and other people for personal excuses. Around the holidays, emotions run even deeper as people selfishly and anxiously shop for materials to give to other people they use for excuses the other 364 days of the year. It's truly heart breaking how selfie-centralized this nation has become. From a secular viewpoint, Christmas is a season of family and giving. Christmas is one day a year where everyone puts their differences aside and loves the way we are called to love every day. As Christians, loving and giving are our commands. As Christians, we should be spreading the good news of the gospel through loving and giving every day of the year, especially around the holidays when people are stressed over self-centered wants. The gospel message is full of comfort if we take the time to uncover it. Jesus died so that we could live. Jesus lived a perfect life of love and service and obedience so that we as Christians could follow in His footsteps and love and serve and obey our God. Christmas is the time when we celebrate the fact that Jesus didn't have to do anything He did for us. He didn't have to go through what He went through. BUT HE DID. And THAT is why we celebrate this season. THAT is why we can follow His example. We know that He is perfect, He is loving, and He is worthy. Praise God this season for giving us an opportunity to celebrate Him!
