What is Christmas?

My oldest daughter, Gracyn, asked me this morning as I was shaving, "What is Christmas?" I told her that it is Jesus' birthday. She then asked simply, "How does He get His presents? Do we just go outside and throw them in the air so He can catch them?" I tried explaining to my innocent nearly 6 year old that during Christmas we give gifts to others and to keep remembering Jesus everyday. "But don't we already pray to Him everyday?" she asked. "Yes we do," I said. "Then why isn't everyday Christmas? Then we could get lots of presents!" With that, her excitement carried her out of the bathroom to tell her siblings.

Ahhhhhhhh, another childhood conversation that I will remember and treasure always.

This time of year we hear lots of sermons, read lots of articles, and watch holiday specials that invoke the "spirit of Christmas." Some even title their oratories, literature, or broadcasts "What is Christmas?" I think simply it is a heightened awareness of what we are called to do everyday.

Christ called us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) So during this season, we reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ. So what?

Jesus' teachings throughout the bible were calls to action. He invites us through Him to change our hearts and our minds, so that, our words and our actions are transformed into instruments for Him. If we simply reflect on Christ during this season, we may only be warming our hearts. Their exists a deeper purpose during this time. The true meaning of Christmas is what happens next.

How do we take this season into January and beyond? We must first pray to God to open our hearts and our minds to be touched by His presence. Invite God to use each of us daily to further His purpose.

Next, understand what Christ's mission here on earth was. He was sent to be a perfect model for God's creation to lead us into the eternal "promised land." In that, he loved everyone. How did he love? He listened to those in need of an ear, He displayed compassion to those hurting, He forgave those who wronged Him, He aided those who were of lesser means than even Him, He displayed patience to those who didn't understand. Those are some of the attributes of Christ that we can take with us everyday.

Finally, we must act. This is not the year to watch others and be in awe. We must our God-instilled passion and show others Christ through that passion. Our call may be involve great time and energy and affect entire communities, or it may be in our own homes.

So, take the time to reflect on Christ during this holiday season,as will I, but do so with a purpose, enthusiasm, and a prayerful heart so that God can work Christmas miracles through us all year 'round.