The Centerpiece of Christmas

I came across some “Dear Santa” letters written by kids. One letter I read made me wonder whether Elliot was able to get off the naughty list. He wrote, “Dear Santa, I’m sorry for putting all that Ex-lax in your chocolate milk last year, but I wasn’t sure if you were real. My dad was really mad.”
Taylor wrote, “Dear Santa, how bad can I be before I lose my presents?”
There were many run-of-the mill letters, but this one from Rosanne caught my attention:
“Dear Santa, Do you know Jesus is the real reason for the Christmas? Not to be mean, but he is.”
Rosanne is right. Jesus is the real reason for the season. Sometimes with all of the hustle and bustle, we get side-tracked and need to refocus on the truth that Christmas begins with “Christ.”
Some years ago, a lady was browsing through a flea market when she came upon an antique Christmas nativity set with a price that seemed too good to be true. The owner verified she could have it for a dollar, but then added, “It’s all there except Jesus.”
Everything was there except for the one figurine which was supposed to be the focal point of the set. If we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves in a similar situation. We can get so caught up in the happenings of Christmas that we lose sight of the focal point of the season. Jesus needs to be the centerpiece, the most important part of Christmas.
We would all be blessed to remember the story of shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Let’s join the shepherds and amaze people as we make Christ the centerpiece of our Christmas and spread the word concerning what we have been told and what we know about this Child.