Celebrate the reason for the season
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:1-4
It is so easy during this Christmas season to be caught up in extreme busyness surrounding the celebration. Christians should stay alert to any potential dangers that will derail us from celebrating the true reason for Christ’s coming. From the text, Paul was providing an outspoken and uncompromising conclusion exalting the supremacy of Jesus. This was to counter the false teaching and exhorting believers at Colossae to make Christ central in all areas of life. This exhortation is important especially during this time where there is a heightened attack to our Christian faith and belief in Christ. We need not lose our perspective and be assured of our identification with Christ. Let us rivet our minds that it is Christ we are celebrating. The significance of giving presents during this season should be directly related to God's presenting us the gift of His Son. Our children as well should be reminded about this important truth year in and year out. Also, avoid the danger of getting so caught up with impressing others and missed out in imparting the real message. We are God’s representatives and are His chosen ambassadors. We are called to be in His business "in season and out of season." Do not forget what you possess as a child of God. Do not try to impress others by what you can give and buy. Spend more time imparting what you already possess. Then avoid the emotional danger of getting built up in the excitement of the celebration for a disappointment. One of the most effective ploys of the world system is to create a false sense of excitement. We can get "high" very easily on the crest of Christmas. But such exhilaration could immediately drop into coldness turning into a fading afterglow. This is dangerous, particularly when the fanfare is gone and we are left by ourselves. Guard yourself and don't be deceived. Remain occupied in thinking about the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider God’s admonition; “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2). This does not mean that believers are to live in a kind of mystical haze or neglect the affairs of earth with endless contemplation of eternity. This means that believers are not to be concerned only with the trivialities of the temporal. The believer is to see everything, including earthly things, against the backdrop of eternity. With a new perspective on life because of what Christ had accomplished on our behalf because of His coming, let us now allow the eternal to impact the temporal. There is One who waits to fill your heart and renew your hope.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
