By Tommy Rush

I hope you and your family are beginning your Christmas Day with a lot of love and joy. I realize everyone has different family traditions, but our family since grandchildren have entered the picture, enjoys opening and exchanging gifts on Christmas morning. When 14 people gather in one space to exchange and open gifts and when 7 of those people are 10 years old or younger, things can get pretty interesting. I’m not sure if I could describe the scene by using the words “peace or still.”

It’s amazing how many different emotions can be in a room at one time. There is laughter, gratitude, surprise, impatience and almost always there’s someone sad or crying over something lost in the pile of empty boxes and wrapping paper. The next several hours usually involve looking for batteries and reading instructions. Occasionally there’s a few more tears or disagreements with the grandchildren until one of the moms or dads say the magical words, “all of you kids go outside!”

Your Christmas morning may be a lot different. I realize that our family Christmas will change with every passing year and that is why I am enjoying the one we are experiencing today so much. But the one constant that will never change for my family is the awesome blessing that two thousand years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem and the world has never been the same. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because God gave us His great love through the gift of His Son, Jesus.

The Love of God in Jesus is what Christmas is all about! In our times of sadness, times of joy, times of peace and times that sometimes seem more chaotic than peaceful, we find rest in the amazing love of God. I know that my family blessings are a gift from God. The day I placed my life in His hands and received by faith His grace and forgiveness, my life changed forever. And I’m convinced that God’s love has the power to change your life. Jesus will save your soul and fill your life with the joy and blessings that makes life worth living. I pray today that if you have never accepted the gift of God’s love and grace that you will do so on this beautiful Christmas Day. I promise that you will never be the same.

Merry Christmas Morning!