Luke 2:6-7 - 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. (NIV)
In late fall of the year when I was in second grade, I
found out something that changed me. One of the girls on my street told me that
Santa wasn't real. I ran right to my dad, and he told me that she was right. In
one way, this was a relief. I had always wondered why my parents, who loved me,
didn't give me Christmas gifts. Now I knew they did. More importantly, with
Santa out of the way, my heart opened more fully to hearing about the Christ
Child.
As things ramped up to the big day, we could hardly
contain our excitement, but something was nagging at my young spirit. Amidst the
tree decorating and cookie baking, I sensed more and more that Jesus was the
focus in all this, or should have been. I didn't tell my parents or anyone else
what I was thinking, but I felt sad a lot that Christmas, thinking that not
enough attention was being paid to the Saviour.
After bedtime on Christmas Eve, I dozed fitfully until
I saw the light go off under my parents' bedroom door and crept out into the
living room. The streetlights, streaming in from the window, were reflected in
the glass ornaments on the tree. I found my way to the television set, on top of
which my mother had set out the nativity scene, and knelt down in front of it. I
picked up the little baby Jesus and started to cry. "It's You, it's You, it's
You. It's not Santa, it's nobody else. It's only about You. It's all about You."
That was the first time I felt the presence of God. The Holy Spirit was drawing
me to Jesus, the truth.
I would like to say I grew up and followed Him all my
days, but sadly, I cannot. Yet through all my wayward teenage years into young
adulthood, no matter what, I knew that Jesus was real. I gave my heart fully to
Him when I was 23, and I'll never forget that night in front of the old
television. It was a Christmas of revelation, a Christmas of truth.
Prayer: Thank You, thank You, Lord, for revealing
Yourself to us! This Christmas, help us to seek You as little children, trusting
You and giving our hearts to You. May we be ever mindful of Your grace and
presence in this season, and all year long. We love You, Lord. Amen.
Michele Debau
makrissak@hotmail.com
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca
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