YOU are the Reason for the Season

This holiday season I have been pondering and rolling around in my head, the little seasonal rhyme, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  It fits well as a lapel pin and written in gold on our Christmas cards.  I like it!  The message is clear and points to Jesus!

Yet.

I began to think of this in theological terms, the accuracy of it. I know—I KNOW you are rolling your eyes at this point. But bear with me. I am a people watcher. I watch how they walk, how they talk, their mannerisms, their facial expressions (hoping they are smiling behind that cloth mask).  The other day as I was Christmas shopping, I looked into their eyes, wondering if THEY knew Jesus. Then it dawned on me—THEY are the reason for the season!

The season is Christmas. Christmas is JESUS—His birth. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The best gift ever! Jesus came to earth, the divine, embodied in human form. His life message pointing to Godly Kingdom stuff. His death represents us. He resurrected in full power and authority and now sits, enthroned on the right hand of the Father—for US!  He came to fix the man-made mess. WE are the “whosoever.”  WE are the reason for the season! Even simpler, YOU are the reason for the season! (Ok, group-HUG!) Yes, it’s all about Jesus and we glorify Him! But what He did, He did for YOU!  He came for YOU!  What LOVE! THE best gift giving possible.  

Even with all the self-interest, self-immersion, self, self, self and all the “I” focus today, this Christmas look into the eyes of those around you, up and over your mask and consider THEM!  What a great opening line to the gospel, said with heartfelt humility as you tenderly lean forward “Did you know YOU are the reason for the season…” Then tell them about Jesus. Tell them why He came. Use their name (read their name badge if they have one) “Bob, He came for YOU!”  Most know about the baby in the manger and most often, folks leave Jesus there—in the manger.  They either ignore or don’t know the rest. Now tell them about the grown up – KING.  

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Blessed Christmas to you and yours,

In Him, DeDe & Mark (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).