Each year as we celebrate The Nativity, especially since my husband’s ill-fated accident that totally changed our Christmas itinerary that year, I cry to the Lord for more of Christmas. I long for a fuller understanding of how the Christmas story affects every miniscule event of my life.

However, the truth is, the trappings of the season can totally get me all wrapped up. I quickly and easily get caught up in the beauty and festive time of the year, the sparkling lights and yummy foods, the party clothes and social, happy merriment singing Christmas carols while completely missing the very reason for the season. Honestly, it is when the world weighs heavy on my shoulders, or the loneliness and gloom have boxed me in that I truly find Christmas…

And I am redirected to the true meaning of Christmas: He was born to die; He came into the world with one purpose, to save sinners, making propitiation for the sins of the world (1 Timothy 1:15, 1 John 2:2).

So how do I make that part of my Christmas story?

Where the beauty and the ugly meet! Where the God of peace reaches down and draws back the curtain for a glimpse of heaven’s wonders!

Several months ago, after getting a positive result from a Cologuard test, I was flooded with “what ifs” …

David Jeremiah says, “It’s possible to spiritually work through our emotions and prayerfully move from pain to praise. We can do that because we have a God of hope, a Book of promises, a confidence in heaven, and the internal dwelling of the Holy Spirit who gives us joy and comfort.”

The positive outcome of the Cologuard meant I must now undergo a Colonoscopy. My dear husband sat in the waiting room waiting a much longer wait than we were told and watching each person leave who had gone in after me. He too had to work through the “what ifs.”  

God’s answer for us, came with a polyp that was successfully removed by my “God-sent” gastroenterologist, who documented that my sigmoid colon was significantly tortuous. And external pressure was applied to my abdomen to assist advancement of the scope besides repositioning me because of the difficult nature of passing the scope. I guess you could say my colon gave her a “run for her money” (or is that MY MONEY???). LOL!

This Christmas, we were given a gift. We do not accept it lightly because His answer can be different next time. Yet, we are always working in our minds and hearts the hope of eternal life the promises from His Word and the beautiful home waiting us in heaven, and all the peace and joy that comes from having the Spirit of God indwelling.

Just like Mary who was called upon to give her body to God as a living and holy sacrifice (Luke 1:26-38), we are also called upon to bare Christ to the world in the things we suffer and in the things we celebrate. This is “truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1, NLT). Our business is to offer up our bodies, our very lives AND (don’t miss this) WORSHIP!

Christ’s business should be our supreme concern of life!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Romans 12:1, NLT

This Christmas, can you truly say you are wrapped up in worship for our Savior and King?