Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - 11 Days & Ways To Have A Merry ChristmasSample

Finding the Excitement of Christmas

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Imagine if you will two youngsters in love going to New York City for the very first time.  These two Midwestern kids are newly married and have saved up enough money to spend a few days taking in the big lights and a couple of musicals.  Well, that young couple was Lisa and me.  Over 29 years ago, we made that our tradition right after Thanksgiving. We still love to take a trip to Manhattan and just emerge ourselves in the sights and sounds at Christmastime.

Thinking back to what young love is like, the word that comes to my mind is “excitement.” Everything new is exciting because you have never experienced it before.  As lovely as it is, I think it is a mistake to take that youthful excitement and spend the rest of your life chasing that feeling. This is a trap! It will hold you and all your relationships hostage to the excitement you once felt. That is not fair, nor is it healthy.

I have a picture of Lisa on my nightstand.  She is about three years old, and she is holding a baby doll that she had just opened on Christmas morning.  It’s so cute!  She has a big smile on her face and not a care in the world.  The reason I keep that picture there is to remind me that no matter how old she becomes, she is still that same little girl inside.  She is someone who wants to know she is adored, protected, and loved because of who she is. 

The story of Christmas is all about a loving Father who sees us as children who need to know they are adored, accepted, and loved beyond measure.  That gift He gave us in Christ Jesus is there for us to unwrap.  I hope you have done this.  

It can be exciting to accept this love.  As a new believer, I remember how on fire I felt. What I now know is this: just like any loving relationship, excitement is not always intimacy.  Jesus’ love grows sweeter and more intimate each day.  

We are reminded of that each December as we reflect upon the night He left all of heaven to be born here among us--born to redeem us and show us love that is everlasting.