John
8:12, Matthew 16:24
One
of my favorite things this Christmas is my tree. That’s funny because it’s
artificial and I resisted getting one for so long. When we lived in
Massachusetts I loved walking up the street to a farm to cut down a tree. I
loved having a real tree in my house. But our fake tree is symmetrical and I
loaded it with lights. Sitting in the living room with only the tree lights on
has been my indulgence this year.
In
fact, Christmas so easily becomes self-indulgent. I eat too many goodies and spend
more than I should on my kids and grandkids. When I enjoy the Christmas tree
lights, listen to special music, and decorate my house with beautiful things, I’m
doing it for me. It’s good to fill my heart and mind with beauty, but the focus
should always be on Jesus. And when it is, I won’t be thinking of myself.
Jesus
told us more than once that He is the light of the world. In this John verse,
He reinforced the idea that His light shows us the path. If we walk in the
light He sheds, we’ll follow the path that leads to life. Although that path
brings us joy, it also requires self-sacrifice.
Jesus
said I have to take up my cross if I want to follow Him. That’s not a joyous,
Christmas thought. The cross was an evil instrument of torture. The cross was a
place where criminals were punished. The cross was where Jesus died for my
sins. Because He died for me, I don’t have to hang on a cross. I’m not a
criminal anymore. I don’t need to fear the torture of eternal death. I’m not
going to die for my own sins.
So
what did He mean that I need to take up my cross? I think the answer is found
in Philippians 4 where Paul tells us to have the same attitude that Jesus did.
He didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped. He humbled
Himself in obedience to God.
To
take up my cross means to humble myself. To give up myself. To give myself up
as a sacrifice. To turn from my selfish ways.
Christmas
is the season to celebrate God’s love for me. It’s the season to celebrate
Jesus’ amazing sacrifice for me.
Christmas
is also a reminder that God calls me to self-sacrifice. It’s a time to give
myself up for others.
Ahhh... love those fresh cut trees, but I have to say that if my kids ever give me permission I am switching to an artificial one!
ReplyDeleteI understand your thoughts about this time of year being self-indulgent (I am NOT getting on any scale for at least a month), and I know we don't want to spend more than we have, but this year I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be extravagant in my gift giving.
Why? Because God's gift to us was wildly extravagant. It cost Him dearly, but I am sooooo thankful for His willingness to give His Son.
Pheefer, I miss you.
I use to think that I needed to be a spendthrift at Christmas, but I approached it differently this year. God gave us an extravagant gift at the first Christmas, and I decided it was okay to do the same!
ReplyDeletePheefer, I miss you.
Jill, you're right that God's gift was extravagant. In another year, I would want to be extravagant too. This year God had a different message for me. I miss you too. Phee
ReplyDelete