Getting The Heart Ready
I remember a song sang by Christian Artist Sandi Patty. The title of that song is “Love Will Be Our Home”. I love that song so much that the lyrics continue to echo in my mind. Every time I remember it, I will hear the melody in my mind.
“If home is really where the heart is.
Then home must be a place we all can share.
For even with our differences, our hearts are much the same.
And where love is, we come together there.
Wherever there is laughter ringing
Someone smiling, someone dreaming
We can live together there
Love will be our home.
Wherever there are children singing
Where a tender heart is beating
We can live together there
Love will be our home”
Wow, every time that song rings in my head it never fails to make me feel grateful to God. That’s because I really love being with family. Family became a picture of God’s love for me.
I share that song to you because of a very important message I have. We all love the season of Christmas. In fact, most of us cannot wait for it to finally come. Filipinos throughout the years have even started the season with the entry of the “Ber” months w/c is September. The funny meme of Jose Marie Chan peeking in the screens of your mobile phones, tablets or computers w/ the captions, “whenever…”
The main reason we love Christmas is because of the joy that it brings to everyone. People are nicer. Families, friends prepare gifts to give in the hope that we are able to spread and share love through gift giving. We prepare a sumptuous meal so we can share moments of coming together. We love and enjoy the company of one another, sharing our own stories and even having fun w/ games and even joking around. We just love the season of Christmas because it is a time, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
But unfortunately, many have forgotten the true essence of the Christmas season.
The True Essence of the Christmas Season
We celebrate Christmas because it was the time when Jesus Christ was born. It’s His birthday. And just like any other one’s birthday – we celebrate!
But how we celebrate the season has become distorted from how it should be. Jesus was born so that we can be saved from sin and restore our citizenship in heaven. Christ came so He can come into our lives and have a relationship with us. We love exchanging gifts and we love the excitement it gives finding out what we got for Christmas. We do this because we normally prepare gifts to the one who celebrates his or her birthday. But since it is the birthday of Jesus, we do it to one another. But have you ever thought of seeing Jesus in the one to whom you will give a gift? I ask that question because my experience in giving a gift has become a routine rather than an act to love towards the person whom I am giving the gift to. It made me think and reflect again, what gift can I give Jesus this Christmas?
I remember another song and it’s a Christmas song. The lyrics goes like this;
“I’ll make my heart a Bethlehem,
a place where love can dwell within.
A place of hope and joy begin
where his new life can start.
I’ll make my heart a Bethlehem
That’s open wide to welcome him
and let his love be born again
This Christmas in my heart.”
Our heart is where we want Jesus to come in our lives and I’m not just talking about your physical heart that beats inside your body. I’m talking about your heart where love abounds. Jesus wants to come into your heart. He wants to reside in your heart. He wants you to let him in. He wants to be your Lord and Savior. A friend, protector and provider. Your healer and the restorer of life. Make Him a part of your life. Make Jesus come into your heart this Christmas so we can have a much more meaningful celebration of the season. Opening your heart to let Jesus in is going to be the best gift that you can give to Jesus this Christmas. Once we accept Jesus in our hearts, then celebrating Christmas becomes more meaningful.
Let me pray for you…
Lord Jesus, I ask that you help my brother/sister to open his/her heart to welcome you into their lives. Be their Lord and Savior. I ask that when you come into their lives, you let them ride into the greatest adventure in living their lives for you. I ask these in your most loving and powerful name, Amen.
God bless you!
By the way, I just recently launched my latest Ebook, The Miracle of Gratitude. Let me help you create a grateful life and see the miracles God has in store for you.
