I’m a daydreamer and sometimes that gets me into trouble.
As a child my mom would ask me to do a simple task that required going outside.
More than once I would start on my journey and get so caught up in my thoughts that I would forget what I was doing.
Eventually, I would snap out of my dream world and realize I had been walking aimlessly. What was I doing again? Good thing I lived on a farm where there was lots of room to walk.
Do you ever get sidetracked like that? Have you ever forgotten about a task that you wanted to complete?
How easy it is to lose track of what is important. We do it all the time as individuals and as a society.
For example, take the word Christmas. It starts with the word Christ. No subtlety here but ask what Christmas is all about and you get many different answers; some that don’t mention Jesus Christ.
It sounds a lot like when I was a boy walking aimlessly forgetting about the specific task at hand. So what is the Spirit of Christmas?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)
The Spirit of Christmas is embodied in Jesus. Jesus was kind, gentle, humble, powerful and sinless.
Jesus, the Son of God came purposefully to this earth to make a way for us to know forgiveness and liberation from our sins. Jesus came to save us.
When we make Jesus our Lord and our Saviour we no longer need to be afraid of the past, the present or the future because he journeys with us.
As we face trials we can be reminded of the hope we have in him. Jesus Christ came to free us, to redeem us; he gives us purpose. The spirit of Christmas is found in Christ.
If you feel you are wandering aimlessly please know that there is a God who loves you and wants you to find Him. He came to this earth for you.
With all my being I would urge you to reach out to Jesus and discover the spirit of Christmas firsthand.
He is nearer than you think. He gives me hope and I would love to share that hope with you.
Merry Christmas!
Jonathan Klein is the pastor at Innisfail Alliance Church.
