My Dad was born on December 24, 1921. He loved Christmas.
Every year, our Family would gather at our house on the evening of his birthday to celebrate Christmas together. The house was decorated, the tree up and trimmed, music played, and the kitchen table was covered with holiday favorites. My Dad did it all!
We didn’t have a traditional Christmas dinner. Instead, turkey and stuffing, fresh from the oven, were added to the feast about 7:00 P.M. Then, the parade began!
Extended family members, neighbors, and friends came and went throughout the evening. “Somehow” everyone’s favorite treat was on that table…mine being chocolate covered caramels from a local candy store.
At midnight, those family members who remained would exchange gifts and open them. But wait! Something was missing! Amid the holiday hoopla, my Dad’s birthday always seemed to get lost. If it bothered him, he never left it show. He would sacrifice anything for those of us that he loved deeply…even the celebration of his birth.
I think that you can see where this is going.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of our Christmases, is something missing? Are we forgetting someone’s birthday? The sad truth is that, like my Dad, Jesus’ birthday often gets lost in the busyness of the season.
Too many forget that Christmas begins with Christ.
It is His birthday that we are celebrating.
“For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11
Christ would, and did, sacrifice everything for those that He loves deeply. He gave His very life to save a “wretch like me”.
One Christmas many years ago, I bought a birthday cake with Jesus’ name on it. I had my family of four sing happy birthday to Jesus. It didn’t go over well, and I never did it again. I wish that I had. This year, buy a birthday cake for Jesus. Put one candle on it–for Jesus said, “I am the light of the world…No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 8:12; 14:6)
Sing these words:
Happy birthday to You. Happy birthday to You.
Happy birthday dear Jesus. Happy birthday to You!
Merry Christmas! Linda Morgan, Chair M&M
