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.”  

There were some Christians in my church growing up who were against women wearing make-up. When the pastor was asked about it, he quoted Billy Graham, “I don’t know about that, but I can tell you working on a farm that new paint on are old barn certainly does improve its looks.”           

When it comes to decorations there are lots of opinions as to what is good and what is not so good; what seems to fit and what is out of place. One tradition that started in my household and has been practiced all my life is to get out Christmas decorations and spruce up the place for the Holidays. The chores then and now usually fell on the females of the house.           

My concept of how to decorate is different than my wife’s.  My tradition was hanging aluminum foil tinsel on the tree. That didn’t quite say attractive to her.              

My brother had a job for a season as a window decorator for a department store in one of the suburbs of Detroit. He would take clothing or items that the store wanted to highlight for sale and make displays in the windows and around the stores. The purpose was clear. Don’t make the display so attractive that it distracts from the items we are trying to sell. He was to make that the center of his thinking when he decorated. Stores decorate for the purpose of getting you to buy.           

Every celebration is made special by decorations. When there are special occasions, like Christmas, there are traditional decorations. There are some stores selling Christmas decorations exclusively all year long. They know people shop for this big event. These coming days will be all types of sales from stores trying to sell what they overstocked rather than store it. Soon people will stock up on things like ornaments, lights, wreaths with holly, artificial trees, candles, table clothes, and all kinds of Christmas figurines. More stuff to set aside until next year’s tradition.           

The reality is that underneath all the glitz of the season, the real hope began with the birth of our Lord and Savior, Emmanuel, God becoming one of us to show us who He is — His nature and character.

Let’s try not to forget that.

Application:  FOCUS ON THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Prayer:   O Father God, You have given us the greatest gift of all, your Son, Jesus the Messiah.   Sometime, I dont think I fully comprehend the fullness of what You have done for me in sending that baby to Bethlehem.   Keep my eyes fixed on You not the decorations these next weeks ahead and always.