It's the Friday before Christmas and all through the house is what? A focus on wrapping and relatives; on food and drink? What about the birthday guest? You know, the one whose birthday we are supposed to be celebrating. What is He getting for His birthday?
We give each other presents. But what are we giving Him? What does He need? What does He want?
He needs nothing. He wants you and me. Remember those verses about how God does not desire the blood of animals, but rather a broken and contrite heart? How many times has your heart been broken and contrite before God? And if it has, how do you feel after you have repented of your sins and asked to be washed in the blood of Jesus? Clean, right?
This Christmas, give Jesus the only gift He really wants: Yourself. I've used this chorus before, but it says it all:
Christmas isn't Christmas 'til it happens in your heart. Somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts. So give your heart to Jesus; you'll discover when you do that it's Christmas, really Christmas for you.
Merry Christmas!
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: December 23, 2011