Would You Have A Revolt On Your Hands?

in my name, receive me Mark 9:37

When my boys were young I got fed up with their candy cane attitude that Christmas was nothing more than getting toys. So at a tender age I sat them down and explained that Christmas is not about a fat man in a red suit. It is about receiving Jesus Christ.

Now as I sit here today with a hum bug attitude I have to ask myself how did this happen? How did the world shift from receiving a Savior to giving menial gifts? How do we miss the message that Jesus wants an intimate relationship with us? Why do we forget that Jesus thinks of us always, prays for us daily, constantly and consistently?

If this year you made it clear that Christmas is about receiving the free gift of salvation in your home, your family and your neighborhood would that be enough? Would they get it? Or would you have revolt on your hands if you didn't buy one gift? Would you get kicked out if you didn't buy a tree or put up lights? What if you walked over to where the tree usually is standing and held out your hands and said, " This year I just want you to receive Him. Receive Jesus, his word, the Holy Spirit and forgiveness." Could we do any more or give anything better?

Rather than go to the mall and fight the crowds what if we went to Bethlehem and walked the streets where a child became a king? And what if we sat there and listened for the cry of a child that gave us everything?

The holy child of God needs to be received. And after we have received Him like we never have before let us receive a bold hunger to speak His name to those that refuse to hear. Yes, let us be sold out to the point of movement and motion.

The world has chosen one day to glorify our Savior. I can only hope that this time, this year it is about receiving the Son and then rushing out the door to go and tell every one.

May I cling to this day
And never forget
The beauty in just your name.
When caught in the hustle and bustle of life
May I never forget that You came.

This world is caught
In the giving of gifts
But frankly they have forgotten
All of the good that could have been done
From the empty gifts they have boughten.

My Lord, Oh Lord,
I speak for so many
That have chosen not to believe
That the greatest gift they will ever have known
Is the gift when they choose to recieve.