LifeLink Devotions

Friday, December 1, 2023

Here we are in the most wonderful time of the year. In Wisconsin we look forward to a fresh white blanket of snow to turn our land into a winter wonderland. Our Christmas tree is fully decorated along with all the other rooms of our house. The lights are up on the outside of the house, and the star pointing the way to the manger is fully lit.

From the world’s perspective there are many reasons that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Andy Williams sang a song about it. In it he referred to kids jingle belling, holiday greetings, happy meetings, friends coming to call, parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, caroling out in the snow, and much mistletoeing. That’s a list that can make for the hap-happiest season of all. But one thing – the main thing –that  makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year is blatantly missing from the song. There is no reference to the reason for the season. At one point of the song there is a perfect opportunity to refer to it when he sings about the tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. But nothing about Jesus is said. The world is wrapped up in the wonder of the season but has forgotten why they celebrate.

We may be guilty of that as well. I know I am. Years ago, when I went to get our freshly cut Christmas tree, I had an opportunity to talk to the man I from whom I bought it. At the end of our conversation, I shook his hand as he wished me a merry Christmas. I thanked him, wished him the same, and then said, “Don’t forget to remember the real reason for the season.” He smiled but did not respond. I tied the tree to the top of the Jeep, brought it home, cut off the bottom 3 inches, trimmed the branches, put it in its stand, and carried it into the house. I turned it so the best side was showing, and then watered it to keep it fresh. Not once from the time I left the tree lot until I got the tree up in the house did I stop to think about the reason I was getting the tree, or what the tree represents. At every point of that process I had an opportunity to worship Jesus. As I placed the tree on top of the car I could have thought about the trees that were cut to make the cross upon which my Savior died. As my hands grabbed the branches of prickly needles I could have thought about the thorns that pierced the brow of my Lord. As I placed the tree in the stand I could have praised the Lord for being willing to be raised up on a cross to take a stand against sin. As I watered the evergreen to keep it fresh I could have thought about the everlasting life that is in me because of what Jesus did, watered by the Holy Spirit to keep it fresh and vital. It’s become too easy to enjoy the wonder of the season without worshipping the reason for the season.

When God created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden, there was one tree that was off limits. But they allowed Satan to influence their desires with deception and they ate from that tree anyway. When God found them in their sin, He dealt with the Deceiver first and made him a promise – someday an offspring of the woman (not the man) would crush his head. It is the first prophecy of Christ in Scripture.

Genesis 3:15  “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

From the moment of man’s sin God initiated a plan to rescue people from the consequences of their sin. From woman, the first to sin, would come redemption. It was the fruit of a tree that led to sin, and it would be the fruit of another tree – the cross – that would lead to salvation. Through one sin death came upon all mankind, and through one death eternal life became available to all who are dying. Hallelujah! Jesus saves!

So as you go through this month, make an effort to retrain your brain so that every event and activity becomes an opportunity to worship Jesus. Don’t get so wrapped up in the worldly wonder of Christmas that you forget to worship the wonder of the Savior whose birth we celebrate. Jesus is the Reason for the season.

Pastor John