This day is fragile but precious.

So much anticipation culminates in the arrival of this day. Does it live up to expectation? The answer lies deep within each person as they survey what it was they actually sought.

Was it time with family? Yes.

Was it getting certain gifts? Probably.

Was it truly spending time with the One for whom the day stands? Sadly, for many, not really.

Oh, we often pay lip service to worshipping Him on this day, but seldom do we actually give Him our all. For our all seems to be bound within our hopes and dreams of what the season could bring.

Our expectations are bourne of Christmases past or from the ideas we've seen in movies. When will that Christmas dream come to pass in my life, we wonder? We hope for that which has little to do with the coming of the Savior 2000 years ago.

He came from humble means. He was born to a virgin and brought scandal into her life. Rejection from her peers. That rejection would come later to the Savior Himself. Then to those who followed him. Those closest to him died a martyrs death, most by vicious means.

Today, rejection continues to follow in the lives of His faithful. Scorn for those who openly love Him is present at many turns in life. Why do we remain faithful? Why is the price worth the cost of suffering in this world?

Because He really did come to die for you and for me. His death, as a spotless Lamb, provided a way for us to be restored in our relationship to the Father. A blood sacrifice was required, and was given.

It is ours to follow Him. It is ours to revere Him. We must bring honor to His Name, regardless of whether or not all believe. The depth of our relationship with Christ is not dependent on whether or not they believe, but whether or not they believe will be impacted by the depth of our relationship with Christ!

What are we showing our friends and our loved ones, today? Do they see Jesus as the babe in the manger scene on display in the home you're in? Or do they see Jesus as One who came to serve and love others because His reflection is seen in who you are to them, on this most Sacred of Days.

He is worthy of the cost, whatever it might be! Praise Him. Point others to Him. Revere Him! Honor Him! The sum of your life finds its value in how you do so.

Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday JESUS!


brent