Reflection

It’s the Christmas season once again. Doesn’t it seem like these holidays roll around faster and faster on the calendar? Christmas is a beautiful time for reflection, but it’s such a busy time that we have a hard time stopping the momentum long enough for reflection and prayer.

At Thanksgiving we reflect on all the things for which we are thankful. Then we launch suddenly into Christmas preparation and forget to slow down to contemplate the true meaning of the season. The gift of God to humans is Himself wrapped in flesh. “Veiled in flesh the godhead see,” the old carol chants (“Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”). We sing along without reflecting on the tremendous truth of that fact. Maybe we could pay more attention to the weighty theology in some of our Christmas hymns this year, and we’d be richer for it.

As we prepare to exchange gifts, let’s determine to focus on the greatest gift of all. Let’s give with a generous heart – like God’s. Let’s concentrate more on His gifts than ours. Here are some Scripture treasures to ponder. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (II Corinthians 9:15). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…(Ephesians 2:8).  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

How about making today a day of reflection on God’s gift to us? Take some time to pull away from the ever-present tasks and let your spirit be renewed. Even Jesus knew enough to realize how important it was to depart from the crowds and commune with His Father. I’ve attached a song I wrote with this in mind. It’s not a “Christmas song,” per se. But I think it’s appropriate for the season. Do you mind taking time to  listen?

“Come Away,” from “Serenity”