As I reached out to God in prayer this morning, He flooded my heart and soul, with feelings of Christmas joy, excitement, and expectation. I’m not talking about the joy of receiving gifts in a couple weeks, or even buying gifts for others. Although buying gifts for others, does bring me some joy and happiness, but that is a fleeting joy and happiness in the world, and of the world. But real joy, excitement, and enthusiasm for what Jesus has done, and will continue doing in our lives.

When I look at the Christmas season today, which by the way, apparently starts sometime in early September, according to most retail outlet shelves. I have to say, it’s very discouraging to see that the experience and expectations of Christmas, have become very focused on the worldly commercialism of the season we call Christmas.

If not careful, we can all get caught up in the worldly hype of Christmas, beginning with all the sales on black friday, and continuing on cyber Monday, and beyond. We begin to stress out about what gift or gifts, we’re going to purchase for our loved ones, how they will be wrapped, what paper shall we use, what Christmas song is on the radio, or even what Christmas cookies we’re going to bake. And I could go on, but you get the point. I think in many ways, the month of December feels like it’s months long, and not weeks.

Basically, the Christmas season can feel like a melting pot of stress and anxiety. We all tend to be very busy during the month of December, much more then at any other time of the year. Why, because we all get caught up in the worldly things, and loose sight of what eternal hope, joy, excitement, and enthusiasm look like. We get so wrapped up in the here and now, that we don’t slow down enough to think about the true reason we celebrate Christmas. And that is to focus on the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Who was born into this broken world, to be a living sacrifice for each and every one of us. It is only by the grace of God, that we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ upon the cross.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

There is only one place to find eternal peace, hope, joy, and love. And that is believing and trusting, in the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what life throws at you. (John 14:6 NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way the and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And in (Acts 4:12 NIV), Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” So, in this Christmas season, let us place our attention on the real reason for this season. And that is the birth of Jesus Christ.

A song comes to mind as I write this. Christmas Is All In The Heart. A portion of the lyrics I have posted below.

In a one bedroom apartment.
On the humble side of town
There stands a little Christmas tree
It looks a lot like Charlie Brown’s

And underneath there’s one little gift for him
And one little gift for her
After six months on the new job

They’re still barely getting by
So in the way of decorations
There’s nothing there to catch your eye
But both of them would be the first to say

We’re together, we’re gonna have the merriest Christmas anyway
‘Cause Christmas is all in the heart

That’s where the feeling starts
And like a fire inside, it touches every part
Christmas is all in the heart

The last verse posted, is what really speaks to me. Cause Christmas is all in the heart, That’s where the feeling starts, And like a fire inside, it touches every part. Christmas is all in the heart. So, in this Christmas season, where is your heart. Is it like Daniel’s heart, where his window was opened towards Jerusalem?

Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done

Or, is our window pointed towards the world of flashy clothes, shoes, sales, and all other things of this world, that will eventually fade away?

In this Christmas season, my family and I have decided, that we will not fill our time with a focus on that which is of the world. But focus on the real reason for celebrating Christmas. And that is the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. In closing, I think of (Joshua 24:15 NIV), But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

In this Christmas season, let us all remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. And let us focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves each of us, with a love that is much more then we could ever imagine. Because Christmas is where are heart is. I encourage each of us, to place our hope, trust and faith in Jesus. His love endures forever.