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The Reason for the Season
by Shirley Scurlock
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The night was growing cooler and they had no place to stay. The lady, ready to give birth, patiently waited while her husband searched for a warm place for her to lie down. After hours of searching, they were told they could sleep in the barn. It wasn’t the best but the straw would be warm.

The stars shone brightly on that little town as they nestled in for what was sure to be a long night. On a distant hillside shepherds watched over their flocks and waited for the morning light. In the barn, animals watched in wonder as the woman gave birth to her firstborn son. One large star hung just above the old barn to mark the place where the Savior of the world was born.

Man and beast stood in awe of the handiwork of God that night. He was just a small baby. However that baby was the son of the living God! He was born to die on a rugged wooden cross not too far from the place of His birth. He knew before He came to earth exactly what he was coming for. It was no surprise to Him. He knew every stripe that would cut through His back. He knew every man who would spit in His face. He knew the nails would pierce His hands and feet, yet He came!

Today we give gifts and deck trees with gold and silver. We have the most wonderful banquets, family gatherings, and church services. The stores are filled with shoppers as we make the mad dash for the perfect gift for that special someone on their list. The children watch for Santa, and hope they’ve been good enough to earn his good favor. Schools help the children make lists of their most wanted toys. We’ve even come to spell Christmas with an x to leave out the reason for the holiday.

Those who do not know Him can be expected to disregard Him on His own special day, but how about His own children? How about those who claim to love and serve Him? Do we ignore Him and celebrate with the world? We can shop till we drop and that’s fine, if we do not forget the reason for the season. I love the snow, the gifts and the food. I love the music and the smells that permeate the atmosphere at this time of year, but I love the Lord more. I love the way He loved us. He came to this earth from a throne that would outshine our sun. He laid down His royalty to become a common man. He gave up His riches to be as poor as I am and after all this He laid down His life.

When He came, the world had no room for Him. They sent Him to the barn. His bed was made of straw and His attendants were sheep and cattle. The world sought to kill Him and would not receive Him. The same world that was created by His own hands watched Him die on that rugged Cross. They not only watched but they consented that it was a good thing for Him to die. The King of kings and the Lord of lords hung there before them, humbled and wasted in the flesh, but victorious in the Spirit. Today we are saved because He came in the flesh to suffer such things.

Today he is the risen Savior and all His wealth and glory has been restored to Him. He alone is Lord of all and yet we ignore Him in favor of Saint Nick. Let’s be different this year. When we kneel down to pull the goodies out from under the Christmas tree, let us remember the cross. That tree was decorated with a priceless life, and the gift He left was bountiful grace.