By Tonja Condray Klein©12/02/20
I’m working on my song “The Colors of Christmas” and the lyrics reminded me of WHY it’s important to take time to celebrate as a Christian believer this time of year. I love the Santa movies in live action or old cartoon style. I love Rudolf who will always be my favorite reindeer. I love the mischievous kid movies that remind me of myself even now. I even love the Scrooge movies in all their different decades of production and differences. I love the lights, the songs, the new clothes, and the food at Christmas. All of those things still aren’t the reason why I love Christmas. Then what is it?
Christmas is what makes Easter possible. You can go into the whole ‘rebirth of nature’ aspect if you want, but for me it was the Resurrection of my Savior, and that couldn’t have happened without His birth. Linus from Peanuts says it as simply and truthfully as can be in that beloved movie, and since I still have a blanket I relate to him even more than most. It reminds me that even though the blanket is for comfort for me here on Earth, I have a Savior who sent my Comforter to me for my soul now and eternally. Money, power, or even gifts don’t really matter. My greatest gift of all time is Jesus!
Many don’t believe that He even came, and others deny even the reality of God Almighty, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord as the Son incarnate who arrived over 2000 years ago as a human baby to later become our Salvation 33 years or so later. It’s not a fantasy or a fable, and not even just a story. There is more historical evidence for the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ than they have for any other life-altering person. I haven’t seen Him like the disciples did, but I have felt His presence by His Holy Spirit too many times to doubt His prophesied purpose.
The star that shined to lead three wise-men who arrived a couple years later, the angels who proclaimed to the shepherds that came, and the animals that watched it all happened as the Holy Bible states. Others can scoff or even get angry, but I see it as the moment humanity was placed on the pathway to restoration! As I celebrate my husband and me surviving Covid-19, and my mother surviving an infection that almost took her life, I can give thanks for that Baby who came to give us all LIFE ETERNAL if we only accept HIS GIFT this holiday season – Faith even a child can believe.
Do I ever doubt? Well, like the character Charlie in the movie about addiction to shoes (one of my favorites, and reminds me of my much older sister!), I also ask, “If you never doubt then why would you need faith?” This is an ongoing learning experience in the Christian life. Jesus likes to show up where and when you sometimes least expect Him – in the grocery line, in the dollar store, or even in a doctor’s office. I know it because I have had it happen. Moments of Grace are around us every single day if we keep our eyes open and our hearts focused. Like in a manger, Jesus Christ shows up!
If ever Christian believers needed to be praying over this holiday season it is NOW. There are a lot of situations in our country and the world that need the loving and changing touch of Jesus Christ to be given in the same way as the time of His birth to bring peace on Earth and good will toward mankind, in spite of our differences. Hearts need to be changed, minds need to be mended, lives need to be healed, and people of every nation need to be restored. The love of Jesus can do it all, but His people need to release His power everywhere by Prayer, Praise, and practical exhibition of Freedom!
Revival is Coming… DO NOT FEAR!