I Don’t Have Time for Christmas

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Christmas comes on December 25 every 365 days, whether we are ready or not. Are you ready for Christmas? Or do you need a little more time to get ready?

Christmas involves an assortment of obligations, duties, activities, observances, and traditions. These activities are compressed into our already frazzled lives. Christmas is going to come regardless of if you have sent the cards, lighted the tree, wrapped the presents, or done all the shopping. It takes a lot of time to prepare and observe Christmas traditions and activities.

If we are honest with ourselves, we don’t have time for Christmas.

Time is the one commodity that we can’t generate more of. We can make additional money. Energy can be enhanced. But we only have 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, and 24 hours in a day. No more, no less.

Isn’t it interesting that time is made for consumerism at Christmas, but is time made for the Christ of Christmas?

What if Joseph said, “I don’t care what Caesar Augustus ordered, I don’t have time to go to Bethlehem to pay my taxes. I have got some bookcases to build.”

What if Mary said, “I’m too young to have a child, it will demand too much of my time, and, furthermore, I’m not married, I’ll have an abortion.”

What if God said, “Send my Son to earth? You got to be kidding, I don’t have time for those God-forsaking people. And, anyway, it is a stinky, dirty planet.”

But Joseph did not make that statement, and neither did Mary or God say those things.

Christmas is about a God who made time and came at the right time. Listen to these two verses. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born” (Luke 2:6 NIV). “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4 NIV). These verses are tied together referring to the birth of Jesus. “The baby” in Luke 2:6 refers to Mary’s baby, Jesus. A very human baby from a very human mother. “His Son” in Gal. 4:4 refers to God’s Son. A very divine baby from a very divine father. In these two verses the whole theology of the incarnation is unveiled: this baby of Mary’s, God’s only Son, was totally human, yet totally divine.

The reference to “time” in both verses arrests my attention. “The time came” and “When the time had fully come.” God made the time and at the right time in history Jesus came.

God didn’t say, “I don’t have the time.” Rather, he said, “I’ll make the time.” God’s Son was born on that first Christmas morning. And, it was all for us. God made the time and sent his Son at just the right time out of his love for you and me.

I’m glad he did. Aren’t you?

 

About Rick Ezell

I am a husband, father, pastor, and writer. This blog is about shaping character, transforming church, and impacting culture. I believe that if one defines their moments then their moments will determine their character and their character will influence their world. I write on personal development, church leadership, and our changing culture. I also write about the resources I am developing and the books I am writing. My goal is to create challenging, relevant, and inspiring content that will help you be a better person, the church be a better parish, and the world a better place. If you are interested in those things, this blog is for you. I have served the church my entire career as a student minister and senior pastor. I studied at Samford University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (eventually I will get it). I have written eight books. My most recent ones are Chapter 13: The Excellence of Love and Soul Therapy: The Healing Words of Psalm 23. Both are available as eBooks. I have written over 1000 articles for various local, regional, and national publications. I have been married to Cindy for thirty-three years. We have one wonderful daughter. We live in Greenville, SC. In my free time, I enjoy writing, reading, running, tennis, and golf. You can contact me via email or follow me on Twitter or Facebook. This is my personal blog. The opinions I express here do not necessarily represent those of my employer. The information I provide is on an as-is basis. I make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.
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