
When I was growing up we did
not have the lavished birthday celebrations that some people have today. I am amazed at how much money is spent with
all the party prep, food and entertainment to celebrate a birthday. Though my family did make it a special day
with birthday cards a present or two, our favorite meal followed by our
favorite birthday cake. (click below to continue reading)
I remember the first time we celebrated
my husband’s birthday. At the time we
were engaged and my mom asked Jim what he wanted for his birthday meal and
cake. Jim looked at her with a puzzled
look and replied, “I’ve never had a birthday cake before.” My mom cried and then made sure he had a
special birthday meal and cake.
Now, imagine making party plans
for someone and you get so “wrapped” up in all the party arrangements that you
forget to invite the person whose birthday you are celebrating!
The other day Jim and I were watching
one of our Christmas movie traditions, The Bishop’s Wife - (1947).
We always try to make this one of our first Christmas movies to
watch. The message of the movie reminds
us that with all the hustle and bustle of parties, shopping, baking, traveling
etc… that we not forget whose birthday we are celebrating.
At the end of the movie, Bishop
Henry Brougham brings a simple yet heart stirring message at the end of the
movie:
“Tonight
I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear,
there was a child's cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came
with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries; we
celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts, but
especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has
always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We
forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled... all that is,
except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the
child born in a manger, it's his birthday we are celebrating. Don't ever let us
forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most... and then let
each put in his share; Loving kindness, warm hearts, and the stretched out hand
of tolerance; all the shining gifts that make peace on earth.”
So this Christmas season, let
us not forget whose birthday we are celebrating. What gift will you bring to the Son of God
who loved us so much that He left the portals of Heaven to be born in a lowly
manger to grow up and die on a cruel cross for our sins so we who believe in
Him may have eternal life?
Christ does not want lavished presents
and parties – He desires our hearts to be committed to Him.
“And so, dear brothers and
sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done
for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find
acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1, 2
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