Don't Forget the Baby!

 

January is a time of year when people spend time putting things away!    A few weeks ago,  those Christmas decorations were front and center in our homes and our hearts.   Yet, now those Christmas decorations are going back to the places where we put them for the other days and weeks of the year.   A few weeks ago,  Christmas gifts were on our minds.   First, we were buying the gifts followed by wrapping the gifts and putting them under our tree.   Finally, there came that time when we gave gift or opened our gifts.   Unless we chose to send them back, now we are putting those gifts into the newfound place they have in our homes or in our lives.  

 There is one thing that I hope you will not put away, and that is Jesus.   I remember back in the 1970’s when friends of mine had their first child.   That little boy  was certainly wanted by his parents and lavished with attention.     A few weeks after that,   these new parents were on their way to church or some other familiar destination.    After they were a couple of miles down the road, they realized to their horror they had forgotten something really important-  THEIR NEWBORN SON!    

 As you advance into the new days and weeks of this new year,  take Jesus with you!    Do not put the child/ King away like you do the Christmas decorations that will remain dormant and hidden for the next 10 to 11 months.     Do not put Jesus in your closet like you do new dress pants or a new sweater.    Keep Jesus front and center.  Keep him close, even in your own heart!     Let Him have a prominent place not just in your home but in your life. 

 There are folks who seek to have Christmas without Jesus.    I am not sure how they do it, but they try.     There are some folks who trot out Jesus at Christmas to display when they have not given him much attention since last Christmas.    The Lord Jesus does not want to be someone who comes to mind for only a few weeks every year.  No, he wants to be a part of your world and in your life 365 days a year.   

Thanks for reading.    I hope that this new year is your best year yet!   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall  

PRAYER --  O God,   I celebrate in these days the good news that Christ has come and is coming.  Help me, God, to make Christ a part of my life each and every day; through the King of Kings,  Lord of Lords I pray.    Amen.