December 18, 2023

Colossians 1:16–20 (NKJV) — 16 For by Him all things were created that are
in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him
and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by
Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
In our family we celebrate birthdays. Each person in our family is important,
from our children to their spouses and especially their children, our
grandchildren. We celebrate their lives. We no longer look upon them as
babies…at least we do not try to. We are excited by their being a part of our
family.
As much as the birth of our children is, there is a greater birth. We celebrate
this birth not so much as looking back at a baby, but what that baby came
into the world to do. We look at His being, His purpose, His sacrifice. We
know it is because of Him we exist. Without Him we would not be. He is the
Creator of all things. The heart of Christ desired the world to be. The mind of
Christ planned the world. The will of Christ destined the world to be. The
Word of Christ created the world.
How much we take for granted the Creator, the Heart, the Mind, and the Will
of Christ. We have become too comfortable in knowing Christ is that we
forget Christ He has a plan and purpose for our lives. We live our lives as if
He does not exist. And yes, I know this is a blanket statement. But, how
much of your day is God at the forefront of your thoughts? How much of
your heart does He occupy? Does your life exhibit Christ? When others see
you do they see a reflection of Christ? These are questions I ask
myself. I am not so impressed by the answers I give.
We are enthralled with the birth of Christ. We forget He was born to die on a
cross. He was born to bring salvation. I cannot imagine the pain, the agony
He went through, not just on the cross, but the years before the cross. He
was ridiculed, mocked, laughed at, rejected. This was not done so much by –
the nonbelievers as it was by the religious. Do we do the same?
This Christmas celebrate Christ. I know many do. It is important to celebrate
not just at Christmas, but year round the birth of Christ.