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I thought about the saying, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” this year on October 31st as the Big Box store I happened to be in that afternoon was ripping down the pumpkins and witches to replace them with Santa’s and Christmas trees. We need every reminder of what the season is about in the face of this blatant commercialism.

IF the gifts that we buy and give are representations of the Greatest Gift ever given, the gift of God of eternal life through Jesus Christ His son, then is Jesus the reason, or are you?

Think about it, the Bible states in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten so, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

What do you GIVE? You give people a GIFT. Jesus was the GIFT.

And what a gift He is… The Crown Prince of Heaven: who gave up Heaven, the Presence of the Father and His Glory, streets of gold, rivers of living water, the praise of Heaven’s host, the absence of fear, sickness and death for a stable.

Jesus gave up perfection for a stable. For you.

I am not a farm girl, but I am a mom. And motherhood involves zoo trips and petting zoos. Barnyard animals STINK. UGH. Bottom line. As a nurse and as a mom of two I simply can NOT imagine giving birth in a barn.

Jesus, called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace came to this earth in a smelly stable full of barn animals. Arriving in this location in the belly of pregnant teenager who was more than likely scared out of her wits and her silent fiancé Joseph. If Mary was not scared to death, she was certainly miserable. Seriously, nine months pregnant and riding a donkey for miles and miles? By the time they get to Bethlehem she was in full blown labor. Can you picture the look on Joseph’s face when the innkeeper told him there was no room?

Joseph is notably quiet in the scriptures. I can only imagine why that is. His human fear and disbelief at this insane situation was probably not conducive to “proper” church language, if you catch my meaning! I mean this was GOD, having His “Birthday” with two teenagers in a stinky barn!

Not much of a “gift” for Jesus if you ask me.

And that is because the “gift” is for us.

Because of our sin we could not be reconciled to God without the perfect sacrifice.  God sent Jesus, the only begotten of the Father. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The perfect gift, for you and for me.

WE are the “reason for the season”. We are the recipients of the gift.

Substitute your name, as I did,  for “world” in the verse: “For God so loved Alana, that He gave His only begotten Son, that Alana believing in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

It is my prayer this Christmas, that you accept God’s gift to you; His only Son, salvation and eternal life with Him. Because YOU are the reason for this season!

If you have never accepted God’s perfect gift, close your eyes and pray- Simply admit to God you have sinned and you accept the perfect gift of His son Jesus to come into your heart and change your life and make God your heavenly Father.  Thank you, in Jesus name, Amen!