In the craziness and turmoil that will define 2025, it becomes easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, which is that Jesus is the savior of all mankind (humans, male and female).
He paid a price that offers us a path to eternal life.
The intense commercialization of Christmas (it began in September in 2025) also makes it easy to lose sight of Christmas.
Churches and local governments have made bold attempts to remove Christ from the Christmas story.
While it is true that the Roman holiday Saturnalia was adopted by the Christian church in the mid-4th century to celebrate Christ, December 25 has become synonymous with his birth.
And, while traditionalists reject the idea, the reality remains that Jesus was born, just as the scriptures say.
A reflection is an image of something.
In this case, Christmas reflects what the Christian life is supposed to look like.
In this final installment of the Christmas reflection, the focus turns to the gift.
In the non-Christian context, the gift is something given that is (hopefully — remember ugly sweaters!) liked and well-received.
In the Christian context, the gift is Jesus, who is well-received and beloved.
The difference is that you can put on a gift, or pick it up and use it. But how do you do that with Jesus?
The answer is simple obedience.
Now that I have this gift, what do I do with it?
As is true in any new-love situation, your time, energy, and effort are spent focusing on the object of your love.
For example, I remember when my wife and I first met, how it altered our entire schedule. I slept less (because I was with her for as long as I could keep my eyes open), left my office as soon as I could, and shuffled appointments and rearranged schedules to be with her.
My wife and I have had many conversations about this. Still, while pastoring, I was allowed to spend hours in the sanctuary or behind closed doors, lost in studying the scriptures.
When I entered the ranks of non-church employment (some of them in the real world), I realized how spoiled I had been.
Suddenly, my hours of uninterrupted time turned into hurried minutes before I had to head to work.
It was an adjustment, and it took several years to adjust fully.
It was during this time in my journey that I realized the simple obedience of reading one chapter from the Bible and focusing my time of prayer on the times I was alone (in the shower or driving to work).
It was also when I learned that a smile, a kind gesture, or a simple ‘God bless you’ was enough.
The religious leader of his day called Jesus a friend of publicans () and sinners () because in their eyes, you gravitated to “those kinds” of people.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do.”
Matthew 9:10–12 New International Version
What I have discovered is that I work and interact with “those kinds” of people daily, which means I too must be friends with publicans and sinners.
Allow me a story.
One of my elders at the church I pastored worked in such an environment. He was up for promotion, and everyone knew it. The boss gave the position to a family member instead.
The employees were outraged and told the elder what he should do. The elder disagreed and continued working.
Within a month, the family member quit, the owner fired the boss, and gave the position to the elder.
The employees were amazed, and the elder seized the opportunity to share how God had cared for him in the midst of an unjust situation.
In other words, he shared his gift with them.
Here is the beauty of the story.
The elder didn’t hop on a platform to preach a sermon or condemn them for suggesting what they did. Instead, he continued working outwardly while praying inwardly.
The result is powerful. God rewarded him, and he was able to share his gift in a way that spoke to “t”at-kind” of people.
So, what do I do with my gift?
I share it whenever the Lord prompts me to do so.
I share it in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
I don’t point fingers of accusation or cast glares of malice or discontent.
I do my part, and trust the Lord will do his.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Matthew 5:15 New International Version
The conclusion of the matter is this:
As I reflect on Christmas,
I remember the origin story of Jesus and how God chose everyday people to share his message with.
I remember that he uses specific ways to accomplish his plans, and he has plans for me that will be performed in particular ways.
I remember the joy that this holiday season is supposed to spread, and make it a point to spread it.
I remember he gave me (and I accepted) the gift of eternal life through his Son, Jesus Christ.
I remember that I am to share that gift with “those kinds” of people in relational ways.
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was his intended and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Luke 2:4–18 New International Version
Merry Christmas to all Christ-followers, and happy holidays to those of other persuasions.
I am excited about the things on my heart for 2026.
I invite you to join in.
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world — one person at a time.
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am thankful to everyone willing to follow along as I take it.