“For God so loved the world that he gave His one
and only Son…” John 3:16 (NIV)

Sometimes
Christmas does not fit our expectations of what the perfect holiday should be.
We decorate our homes, inside and out. We shop. We wrap gifts. We plan parties
or dinners. We attend other holiday events. The days leading up to Christmas
pass by faster than the ding of cash registers filling up with cash and credit
card receipts. After the wrapping paper is discarded, we can be left with an
emptiness that no store-bought gift can fill.

In
his book, “Christmas spirit: Memories of Family, Friends and Faith,” pastor
Joel Osteen writes, “When Christmas doesn’t fit your expectations of what the
perfect holiday should be, think about how Joseph and Mary probably didn’t
think the manger was the perfect place for their child to be born. But look at
what a perfect Christmas it turned out to be.”

A
recent devotional was a reminder to seek the real meaning of Christmas. The
writer shared a time before Christmas when her husband accidentally broke one
of her favorite porcelain teacups while washing dishes. The delicate cup had
shattered into so many pieces that glue could not restore it to its original
purpose. The tea would have leaked out. Regretfully, she tossed the cup into
the trash.

However,
on Christmas morning, an unexpected gift of love from her nine-year-old son
brought tears to her eyes. Although she had forgotten about the broken teacup,
her son had retrieved the pieces from the trash and painstakingly glued them
back together. Because the young boy knew how much his mother loved the cup, he
had taken time to put it back together. Chipped and scarred with dried glue oozing
through some of the cracks, the restored teacup was beautiful in the mother’s
eyes. Although it would no longer hold tea, it was a reminder to her of the
true meaning of Christmas.

The
literal meaning of Christmas is “Christ’s Mass,” referring to a celebration of
Christ. However, our current culture doesn’t reflect the wonder and awe of that
first Christmas over 2,000 years ago. While we search for a joyful Christmas
that truly celebrates Christ, so often the holiday season leaves us with very
little joy and an elusive emptiness we can’t seem to define.

Recently,
while having lunch with two friends, our discussion centered on this season,
and the needy in our community, especially the children who would not have much
at Christmas if it were not for the benevolence of others.

If
you want to know the secret to a Christmas holiday filled with love, peace and
joy, then look to the manger. The very heart of Christmas came wrapped in
swaddling clothes. He was a gift from our Heavenly Father. God loved us so much
He sent His only Son that we might be restored to wholeness.

It is Jesus’ birthday we celebrate on December 25,
not ours. What gift can you give the Christ child? Begin by examining your
heart and giving to others who are less fortunate.

Respond to the author at carolaround@yahoo.com
or at her blog,www.carolaround.com.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading …

About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

• Mail

|

• Web

|

• More Posts (127)