We traveled from Michigan down to Indianapolis on Friday so that our daughter could spend some time with the man she is courting. While she was busy doing things with him, my wife and I spent some time at Walmart and Hobby Lobby looking for things that were included in the post-Christmas sale. I got kind of depressed walking the aisles looking at angels, nativity sets, decorations and trees that just a few days ago seemed bright with the coming of the much anticipated holiday. Now, they were stacked from floor to ceiling underneath signs announcing a 66% off sale. At the same time in another aisle, other workers were opening boxes of valentine cards and candies and stacking them on the shelves.
I’m so glad that the stuff is not what Christmas is about. I can see why so many people get depressed around Christmas time because they are hoping for some satisfaction in the decorations, gifts and feelings that go with it and those things all prove to be empty. What really is important, meaningful and satisfying is to realize that God Himself has visited His people. He came here as a baby, lived a perfect life and died to ransom His people. I was reading Spurgeon the other day and he was commenting on a verse that says that God remembers his people. He pointed out that God has always looked forward to having a people for His own and He came here on various occasions prior to the incarnation to promote the welfare and encouragement of specific servants of His.
Let your mind dwell on these things as the celebration of Christmas fades and our human nature begins to focus on other duties and holidays coming up.
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