THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY
The presents had been opened with the tissue paper sprawled all over the floor, parents drinking their spiked coffee, while Ralph’s brother holds onto his favorite toy. With a gleam in his eye, Ralphs dad asks if he had a good Christmas. With a shoulder shrug he gives a less than enthusiastic yeah. Again, his dad asks “ Did you get everything you asked for?” And this time Ralph couldn’t fake it, “ yeah, I guess”. And at that moment Ralphs dad says, “ wait, I think I see another present. It’s in the back, not opened”. Curiously, Ralph got up and looked at the back of the tree. Sure enough, it was THE present he had wanted….the Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Yep, his dad smiled, his mother had that worried look on her face, but Ralph was already outside shooting out his eye…kinda of. Like this Christmas story movie, the father had a very special gift that he knew would bring JOY to his son….just like our Father in heaven did for the REAL Christmas story. He had THEE gift for all mankind, the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. As Luke 2: 13,14 writes “ Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those whom God is pleased”. But, the joy of this birth is only experienced by those who accept His gift. For those of us who have we know how Jesus has made ALL the difference in our lives…and we will have eternity with Him. How about you? Would you be willing to receive this gift, Jesus, this Christmas? The thing about presents is that you can only really experience the true joy of it WHEN you open it….otherwise, its just another box unopened, taking up space with no real purpose. I pray this Christmas is different for you…that you open ALL the presents God has for you and find out why the Shepards, who heard the angels, ran to find this baby…the Messiah that the world had been waiting for, and when they did find him, shared their JOY with everyone…And like the angels sang, “ Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men”. Merry Christmas everyone! Merry Christmas…