Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas in Heaven?

I know that things will be different in Heaven, but have you ever wondered if they celebrate Christmas? It is Jesus' birthday, but from my recall, the Bible doesn't talk about parties except for weddings such as the Wedding Feast in Cana and site of Jesus' first miracle (John 2:1).

Personally, even with the commercialism (that can be ignored), I love how we celebrate Christmas on earth. Although that has changed greatly through the centuries, it seems to bring a certain peace, even to those who don't believe in the origin of this holiday. Sometimes, we Christians even have moments of forgetting "the "reason for the season."

But I love giving gifts. That is one reason why I believe it shouldn't just be at Christmas. I believe we are innately inspired to do so. Ephesians 2:10 states: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." It is the act of giving that we celebrate at Christmas. We understand that Jesus gave the ultimate gift of his life for us.

Everything is supposed to be better in Heaven. Everything good that we enjoyed on earth should, in some form, be improved. But things don't really matter, so what would we give? Perfect love is supposed to be the abiding continuation so maybe it's a good idea to get some practice here on earth.

It's not just the sharing of our resources; it's the sharing of ourselves. It's taking time to chat with someone who is lonely; it's working side by side with someone who is engaged in an activity; it's encouragement of other's interests; it's valuing others with love through words and actions; and it's worship that brings us together as a community.

Along with our gifts of things, every one of the aforementioned can be done on earth now. So while we're exchanging things, let's remember that Christmas is about love - not just our family and friends, but mankind.

Merry Christmas to All!

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