Bryans little world.

Once upon a time I woke up to gifts under the tree and a warm breakfast and my family excited to see our faces when we opened our presents.  And now it is my turn and even though I still am excited to see Kathryn and family open gifts, I am a bit stressed. Why?  Well I want to be a good host to our visiting family.  I want to make sure we don’t spend utility money and end up with no electricity.  I am hoping that the gifts we purchased will indeed make the recipients happy.  And I catch myself having to stop (a lot more than normal) and remember why all this celebration is occurring.  For my belief is that Jesus Christ was born of a young virgin who would end up on the Cross for my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life.  WOW!  That is a lot to think about.  But the birth is the start of the gift of Jesus.  He was born in the filthiest of conditions.  He wasn’t born in Beverly Hills with the state of the art equipment.  Oh no!  He was born in the stench of a barn.  What humble beginnings to a life full of power, grace, forgiveness, and most importantly love.  For God so loved the world……God gave up his Son Jesus not to condemn us but to love us; So that we could have the option of eternal life with Him.  (John 3:16 paraphrased) This is why I should stop and celebrate.  In my life I know that I am not perfect, and I certainly know that I contributed a few stripes across Jesus’ back, and to think that He knowing all of this would be willing to be born in a stinking barn….. I just want to get this one right.  I love buying gifts but lets remember that it is Christmas time and in this time lets be thankful for the gift in which that young baby was born for. 

Bryan