Circumstances don’t determine Christmas in your heart

I remember that many years ago when my dad and mom were still alive, they spent Christmas Eve in a room above a noisy bar in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D.

They had moved back to Sioux Falls and were waiting to get into a rental place on Christmas Day. I remember my mom saying the neon bar light flashed in the window all night long and being in that place was not very pleasant on Christmas Eve. Being in the comfort of their own home with family gathered around, Christmas decorations, good food and presents is quite a contrast to spending Christmas Eve in a room above a noisy bar. My heart rather aches still when I think of them being there, even after so many years have gone by.

What a contrast, too, for Jesus to leave the splendor of Heaven to be born a baby in a manger amidst the cows and sheep. His coming was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus left His Heavenly splendor to come to sin-ridden Earth and redeem it. He said in John 10:10b: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus, the God Man, came to redeem us from sin. It is God’s great gift to us at Christmas, and this gift is free.

Where we are on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or any other day pales when we consider Jesus and what He means to us. We can be as lonely, lost and miserable in a million dollar mansion as we are in a tent in foreign desert, a homeless shelter or a room above a noisy bar. Or we can be happy. No matter what our circumstances, we can still have life to the full if we have Jesus living in our hearts.

Are you living life to the full? If not, bow your head before God and confess your sins. Ask God for forgiveness. Tell God you believe Jesus died for those sins and that you want Jesus to come into your life and transform it to a living, full life. Thank God for this free gift this Christmas.

If you have Jesus, you have all you’ll ever need.