Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing At Christmas

As we enter into the Christmas season, we should realize it means different things to different people. For some, it is a cultural experience about being with family. For others, it is about giving that perfect gift to loved ones. Others see it as a time for receiving gifts. To some this time of year is a difficult reminder of family lost. And some will actually focus on the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Most of the cultural trappings are not bad things. Family is of God. Giving is of God. These things are not bad. But even good things can be a distraction if they are not kept in proper perspective. I’m glad we were God’s priority. God wanted man to be in right relationship with Himself. So He focused on humans, especially those who were not the priority of anyone. From the time Jesus was a child, He was focused on the things of God, finding Himself in the temple teaching the elders at the age of 12. At the end of His earthly ministry, He set His face toward Jerusalem in order to accomplish the mission of dying on the cross and defeating death.
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We have salvation because Jesus kept the main thing the main thing. If we lose focus of the main thing at this time of year, we will not only lose the best, but we will lose the blessings that come with God’s best. We often say “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It is true. But is it true in my life? Am I allowing things to distract me? Is the season lost in my myriad of activities? Am I going into debt to make someone happy for a moment? Am I chasing the feeling of the season at the expense of the fulfillment of the reason?

It has been said that the greatest enemy of that which is best is that which is good. Christ has come… for me… for you. He is the best. He is the main thing. If we enter into His presence, we will enjoy as blessings, those things which would otherwise be trappings.

Here is what John says about God's focus and our focus...

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

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