Tuesday, November 28, 2017

The Best Gift We Can Give This Christmas


"God will give you a place to inhabit, which means you get to become attentive to what is there where you are. This means that to dwell knowledgeably and hospitably in and toward the place God gives you is to glorify Him. God will give you a few things that he intends for you to do in your inhabited place and with those people. To do what God gives you to do is to strengthen the common good and to glorify him."  Zach Eswine


Several months ago, I was in the car with my Mom and sister and we were talking about Christmas.  We talked about how much fun it would be to have our family, friends and community all come together for a tree lighting and to sing some Christmas carols.  You know, like we see in all the Hallmark movies?   Thus, Country Creek Christmas was born.

This Friday night, our family will be opening up our farm (working farm mind you, not an "event location") to share a little bit of what Christmas really means to us.  We will start - where it all started - with a live nativity in the barn.  Then we will light a huge tree cut from the farm.  Following the tree lighting, we will have live music in the backyard and Santa in the front yard.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided in hopes that everyone will stick around for awhile for some fellowship! 

So why are we doing this?  First of all, just to be able to share some time with our family and friends.  It has already been a huge blessing just in preparing it and seeing everyone come together.  I have been amazed at the people that have shown interest and volunteered to help.  Secondly, we hope it will be a reminder to everyone to slow down this Christmas and be attentive to what-or better yet, who- is right in front of you. 

That's what Christmas is really about - the presence, not the presents.  It's about first being in the presence of Christ so that He can fill us up with exactly what we need.  Then taking that and letting it overflow into those that are right around us.

I've often wondered on that night over 2,000 years ago, how many people rushed right by that stable without even knowing the long awaited Messiah was there?  How many had spent years in the tabernacles hearing the prophesies, yet they were so wrapped up in their own agendas, they missed the Savior wrapped in swaddling clothes?  They missed the most important Christmas and the best gift ever given.

I don't want that to be me this Christmas!  I want to put down my phone and my shopping lists and look up.  Really see those that are right around me.  God has given us all a place.  It may be in our own home.  It may be as we go to the grocery store or work today.  It may be in another country.  Wherever we are, He has intentionally placed certain people in our lives.  Let's be attentive.  Be with them.  Build relationships.  Most of all give them the best present we can give this Christmas-our presence!