The perfect Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … a Savior in a manger. That’s great! On the first day of Christmas, I got all I wanted and needed. So, I don’t need to worry about the other 11 days of Christmas, which means I can rest from the anxiety of making the perfect Christmas. It was perfect. It always has been perfect every year. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Immanuel means God with us, the perfect Christmas gift for everyone. He is with us now, He has been with us from the beginning and He will be with us forevermore.
I have given and received the perfect gift so now all I need now is a New Year’s resolution. Let me give that to you, too. Now that you have the perfect Christmas gift, a Savior, resolve that for the next year you will remind yourself daily that your Savior has come and forgives you all your sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Live your life each day in that freedom. Do what God has called you to do knowing that even if it is not perfect, He forgives you.
We worry about so many things, but God has it all under control. The perfect Christmas, the new year, jobs, family, health, but most importantly our salvation is a sure and certain hope we have from Him. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Luke 10:41-42. In fact, don’t make it a New Year’s resolution, but a Daily resolution. If you don’t do very well with it one day, resolve to try again tomorrow. Not seeing it as a failure, but seeing each day as another opportunity God has given you to give Him glory for all He has done. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. He gives us the works, we do the works and all the while, we live in the freedom and grace that God has given on the first day of Christmas through that baby in a manger. Thanks be to God. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
