For What Reason?


 The day after Christmas, sometimes, brings shoppers back out the door for a fabulous deal at the mall or their favorite store.

Me? I breathed a big sigh of relief and am now hanging out at home with my daughter. For the first time in months we have a day with absolutely no expectations of us and we are thoroughly enjoying it.
From the time we woke up on Thanksgiving morning, until last night, at the end of Christmas day, our life seemed to be a whirlwind.
Besides my birthday celebration and the fun book signings, added to the normal activity was, number one, shopping for those perfect Christmas gifts, and then there were the fun Christmas parties we attended.
There are also a lot of things to go see around town. There are lights here and lights there and lights everywhere. Who wants to miss seeing them? No matter where you go it’s a beautiful sight to see Christmas light exhibits.
But in the midst of all of that fun and frenzy, there is a greater light that shines brighter than any Christmas light display. And a great reason to celebrate.
The Bible has a record of some Shepherds watching their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them and announced good news that would bring great joy to all people. “The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
They were told they would recognize the Savior, the Messiah by a sign. “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth, to those with whom God is pleased.’”
After the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds took off to Bethlehem to see if this thing really happened that the Lord had told them about.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, there He was. A babe wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. The Messiah, the Savior.
The shepherds went out and spread the news. And all who heard were astonished.
That’s what it’s really all about.
It’s about Him.
It’s about Jesus.
All of this celebrating started then. The shepherds had a wonderful message to spread that the angels said would bring great joy.
Why?
Because…
 “…God LOVED the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
I am blessed to have one daughter. I couldn’t imagine loving anyone so much I’d give her up for them? Could you?
But God really loves all of us people on this earth that get up every day and try to make a living, raise families, do hobbies, exercise, etc.
He loves us.
And that, to me, is a reason to celebrate during this holiday season.
May you be filled with the joy of the knowledge of His love for you.
Scripture references Luke 2: 8 – 18 and John 3:16 NLT

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