The Meaning of Christmas

We attended a Christmas Eve service yesterday at Grace Community Church (http://www.findgrace.org/). I'm sure that I've been in more elaborate church services than this. But I don't know if any has ever impacted me so. They did a wonderful nativity theme, and as I sat there in the worship center, tears were running down my cheeks like never before. At one point my wife leaned over and pointed out that I wasn't singing. I couldn't sing (and I like to sing); I was too choked up.

I've been involved in Celebrate Recovery (http://www.celebraterecovery.com/) at a local church for over two years now. To be sure, the recovery journey has changed me in significant ways. I am a different man because of Celebrate Recovery. But my thinking and perspectives have changed. That's even better. I see the world differently now. I see others differently now. In short, Celebrate Recovery has changed everything for me. I have to admit though, I was surprised this year to find that Celebrate Recovery has changed my Christmas too.

You see, part of the recovery journey is an honest and thorough inventory of oneself. It's a process where each person begins to really identify, define, and own their own brokenness. I've been a Christian for many years. I guess the words religious people use is that I've "been saved" for a while. But the truth is, I didn't really think I needed to be saved. When I gave my life to Jesus, I thought I was basically a good person. I knew that you would burn in hell if you didn't have Jesus. But the truth is, I was more or less just getting "fire insurance" against the much threatened burning in hell that nonbelievers face. I didn't really believe that I needed to be saved - from anything.

However, through Celebrate Recovery, I've come to know myself much differently than I ever knew myself before. I've come to understand my depraved sinful nature much better. God has not allowed me to be overwhelmed with my brokenness. But I have become acutely aware of how desperately I need a Savior. And then I look at Christmas and see that God gave me one.

Who can comprehend a God like that? Who can understand a God that would love us so much, watch us so closely, and then figure out the perfect gift to give us? Christmas has always been a wonderful time of the year. And I always knew it was about celebrating Jesus' birth. But if I'm honest with myself, I've probably just been celebrating the biggest giver of fire insurance! 

This year though, I own my brokenness and am so acutely aware of my desperate need for a Savior.  I see that God has seen fit to give me just what I need ... even when I didn't think I needed it! 

We woke this morning to be confronted by a Christmas tree laden with gifts. We are surrounded by people who love us. And we have everything we could possibly need. But more than any of that, I look at that Christmas tree and I know that I am saved. My marvelous gift makes me holy. This gift makes me righteous and pure. 

He loves me without condition. He changes the very heart of me. This gift that He gave me makes me good enough to stand before God Himself.  Can you even imagine?  There aren't words to describe such a gift. So I fall to me knees and simply say, "Thank you, Father. You've given me the most perfect gift ever!"

Merry Christmas. May you too realize your desperate need for a Savior, and embrace the wonderful gift that we celebrate today.