“I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid!” You’re familiar with the jingle, right? I’ve always been a big kid at heart and still often see the world through a kid’s eye. But what’s so wrong with that? After all, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [Matthew 19:14].
Christmastime, especially brings out the child in me. While I don't particularly love shopping (that's for grownups), I do love wrapping gifts, am happy giving them, and even more thrilled by the reaction of those often forgotten: the bus driver who returns my "good morning", the nail salon lady, the cashier at the supermarket whose register I always go to because she smiles as she rings me up, the crossing guard, my "train friend" who I have a 2 minute conversation with every morning before we each retreat to our phones during the long ride to work (Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. [Hebrews 13:2]).
Like a child, all throughout the holiday season I marvel at the decorated houses and streets with lit up trees. Each light reminding me of the countless stars in the sky, I imagine following one of them to the manger to find the baby Jesus.
You can bet that from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve I'm listening and singing along to Christmas music all day long. And while my favorites, like "Carol of the Bells" still make me smile, the one that chokes me up every time is "Oh! Holy Night", declaring that Christmas is "the night of our dear Savior's birth...oh night divine". Oh yes! As the song reminds us, "Christ is the Lord...fall on your knees...forever praise Him".
This Christmas, instead of getting "wrapped up" in all the craziness and stress, "re-gift" yourself the greatest gift of all: Jesus! Delight in the Savior's arrival [Luke 1:11], marvel at the wonder of His birth, sing and dance with joy that Jesus is the reason for the season.
So grab your bible and a blanket. Sit on the floor in front of your Christmas tree and gaze at the lights. Read aloud the original "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in Luke 1:26-42 and Luke 2:1-19. Imagine placing your finger in Jesus' tiny baby hand. Keep it there and take the magic of Christmas with you all year long.
Be like the little children sitting at Jesus' feet, "because unless you change and become
like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." [Matthew 18:3]
Written by Louisa Guzman
