Let's Celebrate... Daily! Christmas in New Zealand, part 3
Just because Christmas is celebrated in the summer in New Zealand doesn't
make it any less important. In fact, some New Zealanders can't get enough of
Christmas, and they celebrate it twice a year: Once on December 25th, during
summer time, and the other time in July, in the middle of winter. Amazingly,
many hotels and restaurants also join the celebration and decorate for the
festivities.
This past August, while visiting Nova Scotia, Canada, I encountered a town that
I thought had adopted the New Zealand's mentality of celebrating Christmas twice
a year! The town of Wolfville was decorated to the hilt. Christmas trees,
Christmas wreaths, lights and numerous other Christmas decorations were
everywhere throughout the town.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Until I discovered the real reason behind the
apparent festivities, that is! They were filming an upcoming movie called
November Christmas! (I'm not sure why they were filming it in August!)
To me, we should celebrate Christmas not just once or twice a year, but every
day. Didn't Jesus come to this planet just for you and me? Someone cared so much
for us that He willingly came for us, died for us, and rose on the third day,
just to let us know that He was waiting for us in heaven, that He is building a
home for each one of us up there
(See John 14:2-4). This is reason enough for me to celebrate Jesus
daily!
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because
he will save his people from their sins." (Mat 1:21 NIV) Or in other words:
Jesus saved me from my own sins!
I have never encountered anyone as unselfish as Jesus. Look what He said when
His last Passover was at hand: "I am going to celebrate the Passover with my
disciples at your house.'" (Matt 26:18b NIV). Do you know how He celebrated
Passover that year? He hung on a cross just to save us, to save you and me!
In one of his parables, Jesus explained about the most important celebration in
heaven: "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So
they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:23-24 NIV). Any time anyone of us finds our
way home to heaven's gate, there is a big jubilation: "For this son of mine was
dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
We have reason to celebrate, not only at Christmas time, but daily. The One from
heaven has come into our neighbourhood to not only show us our way home, but to
make sure we know beyond a doubt that we will be welcomed there. He did this by
dying for our sins, for your sins and mine, so that though we have no
righteousness of our own, we can be declared righteous. His merits cover us from
our own shame, and when we accept His offer, He looks into our eyes and calls us
"my children".
How can I resist such a love! How can I not celebrate it daily! The One who is
the Lover of my soul had come for me! He has filled my heart with utter
acceptance and jubilation! To me this means so much more that all the presents I
receive on Christmas. The biggest gift anyone longs for is acceptance and love,
and these are being given to me daily by the One we celebrate on Christmas day.
May this Christmas season extend to the rest of your year. Jesus loves you and
yearns for you. How will you respond to Him?
Rob Chaffart