We are right in the middle of the Christmas season and for many, preparations are well underway are already completed. We do a great deal to prepare for this season and to celebrate the birth of the savior Jesus Christ. Preparation is a good thing, however if we only prepare the external we are missing the entire point of this season. The length and intensity of the preparation is in direct relation to the importance of the celebration or visitation. When we are expecting a very important guest or a very important event much time and effort is exerted in the preparation.
The first thing we do is remove the unnecessary clutter from our clutter corners in our homes. We all have them! That is the accumulation of stuff that we have not made a decision of what to do with the stuff. It is important we remove the clutter from our hearts. Too many live life with a heart so clutter with guilt, shame, condemnation, bitterness, unforgiveness and sin that there is no room for a relationship with Jesus.
Sometimes we need to rearrange our furniture for some of the decorations we put in our homes. I believe a reprioritization of our life is the next step in preparation. We prioritize our time and energies to make room for the savior in our lives.
This season is not complete without gifts to give and receive. We all want to give a useful gift. We go to great lengths to find out what we can give our families, friends and others so the gift will not be re-gifted or sit in a drawer unused. God has given us the greatest gift of All. The gift of eternal life in the package of an infant in a manger. Eternal life is not just going to heaven but having some of heaven here on earth. But what do we give God? The wise men from the scripture brought Jesus, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. As we study what these are they have a direct correlation to our worship today. Gold represents our treasures and finances. When we make our possessions available for God’s use in His Kingdom we are worshiping Him. Frankincense, gives off a distinct odor when it is put on hot coals, and was used by the priest in the temple. This represents our prayers lifted up to God. Myrrh is a resin used in the Holy Anointing Oil in Exodus. For us this represents the anointing of God’s grace upon our lives and the talents and abilities we use everyday. When we acknowledge God’s grace is the source of our talents we are worshiping Him with the.
So in all your preparation don’t forget to do some, clutter removal, prioritization, and planning to use your life in worship to God for His gift of Jesus.
Pastor Carl Benton:
Remember it is the truth you walk in that sets you free!
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