Hanging Out With Jesus

We are entering a Christmas season that, for many people, is all about tradition.  We put up the tree with the ornaments we got from grandma, we hum the same christmas carols we sang as a kid, and we watch the classic Christmas specials, from Rudolph to Charlie Brown to "It's a Wonderful Life".  Many of us have heard the Christmas story so many times we could quote it from memory.

The irony in all this is that for all the trappings of Christmas, it is easier than ever to find ourselves going through the motions without actually connecting to the Lord.  We can quote the scriptures, but the words often roll off our tongue without registering their true meaning in our heart.

Reading part of the Christmas story during worship at Discovery yesterday, the idea of "God with us" hit me in a fresh way.  We often generalize this phrase as we think about how God came down as a man to live with "us", meaning all of mankind.  The mystery of the gospel, however, is that God can make his home in each one of us.

When my brother was very young, he told us that he wanted to pray "like the Jewish people did".  We weren't sure what he meant until he explained that he wanted to just talk to God as he walked around, like Tevye did in "Fiddler on the Roof".  The truth is, I think this is what God wants for us as well.

When God created Adam and Eve, he would come in the coolness of the evening to walk with them in the garden.  Then sin entered the world through Adam and Eve and separated us from fellowship with God.  It was at that time that God set in place a plan to reunite us with himself, so that we could once again have fellowship with him: "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son..." (Galatians 4:4).

As you put up your decorations and sing your carols and watch your specials this Christmas, remember that this holiday is about so much more than tradition.  It is about the love of a God who wants to be "with us", who wants to live in your heart.  Take some time out of your hectic schedule to just walk with him and you will experience the greatest gift of all.

"Thank you, God, for loving me, even though I am a sinner.  Thank you for sending your Son to live among us and show us the way to You.  I give you my heart, Lord, and yield every part of me to your will.  Walk with me, live with me, work with me, and draw me closer to your heart each day.  Keep me in your love until I see you once again in heaven.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.  Amen."

One more note: In the middle of all the generic messages of Christmas joy on television, this little clip from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" always stands out.  Enjoy.