Christmas Questions in a Prayer

Almighty Father,

Thank you for this time of year. At church, December fills with special programs and parties. We sing Christmas carols and hymns. Special gatherings and decorating our homes take hours of our limited time. Delicious cookies and memorable meals keep us busy munching. We make or buy gifts for others, all to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Yet sometimes I wonder. Is this the way You want us to celebrate Jesus' birth?

Jesus was born in humility, clothed in strips of cloth, and laid in a manger as His first bed. Does this honor His humble origins? Would it be better to spend our energy and effort to encourage the lonely, take care of the orphans, or lift the poor out of their distress?

Does my celebration of Christmas point others to You, or does it draw attention to me and my desires? Does it shout about who You are and Your great love for mankind, or do people only see the trappings and miss the real meaning?

Do my gifts feed the greed and gluttony of our society instead of worshiping You? Am I teaching children that Christmas is about presents, decorations, and parties rather than about You?

Shouldn't my Christmas celebration look different from how the unbelieving culture celebrates? After all, I really believe You came and that Your coming made it possible for everyone to know You in a personal way.

Lord, during this Christmas, make me more like the shepherds who could not contain their joy in telling others what they knew of You. Make me more like Mary, who was humbled and rejoicing that she was chosen, even though it cost her. As Simeon waited expectantly for the fulfillment of Your promise, help me to eagerly wait for the fulfillment of all Your promises to me. But most of all, Lord, make me more like Jesus, who left everything to do Your will.

In His precious name, I ask You to make my Christmas more like the way You would celebrate Your Son's coming to earth.

Amen.