The CrossRoads Connection

The CrossRoads Connection: Christmas 2024

Well, by the time you are reading this, most of the gifts have all been opened, the wonderful Christmas meal is finished, and the guests are on their way back to their homes. Christmas is almost officially over. Many breathe a sigh of relief, looking forward to the return of a normal life, (whatever that is) beginning to get things cleaned up and resumption of routine.

Christmas 2024 is in the bag, and tomorrow is a day of returns and bargain hunting! Some have shopped for the past several weeks to get the right gift for that someone special, but they are likely to see them at the big box store returning or exchanging that special gift. Something didn’t fit or it was the wrong color, too big, too little, or maybe they didn’t like it, or they need the cash. Either way, millions of gifts will be returned and put back on the shelf for someone else to hopefully buy.

From Black Friday through Christmas Eve most everyone has purchased something for the ones they love. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American family will spend about $900 dollars on holiday gifts and goodies this year, totaling more than $945 billion. That’s a lot of Christmas!

The Christmas holiday is a great time to get with family, exchange a few gifts and eat more than we probably should, but somewhere in the holiday many have forgotten what this is all about. Many had Christmas without Christ.

Who would like to hear one more Christmas story? Oh, not Santa coming down the chimney or Rudolph and his shiny nose, but the real reason for the season. Nothing more fitting today than to tell the real Christmas story one more time.

No one tells the first Christmas story better than Luke.

Luke 2:1-20 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

What a great story, oh not just a story, a true story! This is a picture of the events on the first Christmas morning. No Santa or Rudolph, not one snowman or candy canes, not even pecan pie and chicken and dressing! I’m also sure there was not any cranberry sauce or chocolate fudge!

Just Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus! Well there were some sheep, cows, goats, angels, a bright star and a few shepherds, but the feature was Jesus!

The Christmas season is a special time to enjoy family and friends that sometimes you don’t get to see but once a year. I’m glad we got together and enjoyed our time, but most of us have celebrated through several “Christmas dinners” and “get togethers” and are tired and about done with the Christmas holiday. Many are ready for some quiet time and rest.

As you reflect over the past few days, think about the real reason for the season. Not just a few days off from work or way too much food and sweets; think on Him, Jesus!

And finally, as we go through this next week, let’s put a plan together to make 2025 the best year we can possibly make it. We may plan to lose a little weight or make a little more money, but let’s have a plan to help others less fortunate and share Jesus with everyone we know.

If you don’t have a church home, join us soon. We would love to see you and tell you all about Jesus! Thank you for taking the time to read these ramblings from an old preacher guy, it means a lot to hear you say you read the column.

May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Blessings and Prayers,

Pastor Danny & Cathy Neal

CrossRoads Church. Braggadocio, MO