I wasn't able to go to church at my regular time this morning, but I did go and I'm so glad I went even though 11:30 church is out of my norm.
I must admit that I love nsync's Christmas music, I even have a pandora station for it. As I was getting ready for church this morning the nsync song "I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas" came on. As I listened to the words I thought how off base the song was. As a young teenager, I guess I never really listened to the words. Here is the chorus of the song:
That I never knew the meaning of Christmas
‘Till you came into my life
I was lost in the dark
‘Till you opened my heart
Like an angel shining bright
I wished on a star
And girl here you are
Suddenly I realize
That I never knew the meaning of Christmas
‘Till I looked into your eyes
I got pretty riled up hearing this lyrics. The meaning of Christmas isn't about a girl at all, it's about Jesus. As I listened to the song I thought about how wrapped up we get during the holidays. We want to have someone to love, we want presents, we want to eat everything in sight and the list goes on and on. I thought back to high school, when having a boyfriend at Christmas was such a huge deal because you got to get them a present, which your parents paid for, and give it to them and then brag to your friends about what your wonderful boyfriend gave you. Where's that boy now, who knows? Chances are you probably didn't marry him, I know I didn't. But the real reason for Christmas has never left my side. Why did it take so many years for me to figure this out?
I went on about getting ready and headed to church. The pastor preached on JOY today. Joy is a gift from God and doesn't depend on our circumstances. He made the point that if our circumstances and earthly possessions bring us joy why aren't there more happy people in this world. If you drove a car to church this morning, slept on a mattress last night - you are among the richest people in the world. So why is I that we don't have more joy? The answer is simply that true joy comes from The Lord, and nothing can steal that joy from us unless we let it. The passage that we studied this morning was the Christmas story in Luke - the real meaning of Christmas.
It has been awhile since I've taken some time to write a blog, but today I felt like I needed too. To share my thoughts from the day and to remind myself that during this season true joy doesn't come from food, presents or who is my life, true joy comes from The Lord and the ultimate gift he gives us - eternal life.
It isn't wrong to want presents, to spend time with loved ones and have someone to love, or even to eat a little more than you should. But, remember this Christmas season, it isn't about all that. It's about the One who brings us joy and comfort. If He is with us, we are never alone.
