UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS
Christmas month begins. And again I feel myself wanting to reach
out to help people who can’t, by themselves, “unwrap”
Christmas. It is, you know, “wrapped” for many....
....wrapped in bandages of bygone hurts and disappointments,
....wrapped in the plastic of sophistication which prohibits
childlike wonder,
....wrapped in the tinsel of a materialistic binge,
....wrapped in the confetti and streamers of empty partying,
....wrapped in the busy-getting-ready preparations,
....wrapped in the artistically designed whiskey box of bombed-out,
so-called “celebrations.”
The Ghost of Christmas Past returns to haunt numberless
now-redeemed members of the Father’s forever-family, but without
the beneficial results produced by Scrooge’s specter.
The “wrappings” listed are not necessarily reflective
of one’s current hindrance, but rather, the cluttered residue
of a person’s private history. They are wadded packagings of
Christmases ruined in other times, at other places. Sadly, the impact
carries on, souring year after year. I’m speaking of people....
- who had a heartbreak on Yuletide and now always associate the
season with that tearful memory;
- who have been burned out over family stresses surrounding the
holidays, so that now these
- days are dreaded instead of anticipated with joy;
- who became wearied with the carnality of superficial gift giving
when love seldom attended the presents, and now wince at the idea
of Christmas shopping.
How many cases? How many varieties of death wrap a God-appointed
celebration of life?
I come to you, today, friend in Jesus’ Name. Confronting those
ghouls of past pain, I pray with you: “Father forgive us our
Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmased against us.”
And I say, “Be free, dear one!”
Through Jesus—the Babe become King, the Son become Lord,
the Child become Christ—in His mighty Name, lay hold of this
festal day with rejoicings. Refuse to let the Prince of Darkness
smother the Season of Light. The one who sought to murder the Baby
of Bethlehem now seeks to ruin your celebration of His coming. Resist
him with all the strength your Lord provides.
Be untied. Be unfettered. Be unwrapped. Take my hands, and together....
Let’s
dance towards Christmas!!
Pastor Jack W. Hayford |
Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233