True Meaning of Christmas

By Scott Williamson
Dec. 25, 2009

I have been blessed to have some great people in my life, but the one who made the most significant impact was my dad. This will be the 8th Christmas without Dad; he passed away Nov. 9, 2002.

I would like to say it gets easier each year but that’s simply not true. If anything, it gets harder. As I grow older, the more I realize the significance of the values my dad taught me, and the more I wish he was here to see me instilling the same values in my children.

Growing up, I guess you could say my family was on the more than fortunate side. We always had a nice warm home, we never went to bed hungry, we knew we were loved and come Christmas time the base of tree was always stacked high with presents.

My memories of childhood Christmases are not filled with gifts. The memories I truly cherish involve getting the family together to laugh, play and most importantly celebrate the birth of our savior.

My dad’s most joyful time at Christmas wasn’t watching us opening gifts. Nor was it the gifts he received. His joy came when all of us gathered around while he read Luke 2:1-21, “The Christmas Story.”

This Christmas Karen, the kids and I will be heading to her parents’ house. I’m looking forward to all of us being together to laugh, play and watch the kids’ faces as they rip through wrapping paper to see their gifts.

But, what I am looking forward to the most is Karen’s dad (Papa as he’s affectionately known) gathering all of us around his recliner and opening his Bible to Luke chapter 2 and reading us “The Christmas Story”.

As Papa retells that amazing scripture, I can close my eyes and hear my dad reading the same holy words. I can again feel the joy it brought him to read the miraculous story of the birth of our savior to us kids.

This past year has brought tough economic times and the stockings may not be as full, but do not let the worldly view of Christmas take away your joy or your happiness.

Instead, take the time to gather around with your family and friends and rediscover what Christmas is truly all about. Take a few minutes and read Luke’s Christmas Story to your loved ones.

In case your Bible isn’t handy (and in honor of my Dad), here it is:

Luke 2:1-21 NKJV

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Merry Christmas

 

Source: Fayette Daily News

Editor’s Note: We would like to hear what your think Christmas means to you and your family. dan@youngchronicle.com