But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.  Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:33-34  HCSB

For many years, Christmas to me was something that had to be created.  The tree and decorations had to be really pretty.  The gifts had to be nice.  Then one year I went to New York and it was almost magical.  Seeing the Rockettes perform the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall was mesmerizing.  The enormous decorations in front of the skyscrapers are a sight to behold.  And of course you’ve got to see the tree at Rockefeller Center.  And if the weather cooperates and you can take a walk or a carriage ride through Central Park while it is covered in a blanket of snow, well that can’t be beat.  I’m telling you all of this because today is the day that my friend, my nieces, my future daughter in law and I were to leave for New York.  We were to be there until Sunday.

After that first Christmas in New York, I was hooked and I tried my best to go back every year.  I took my mom the next year and she was hooked as well.  So  for many years, she and I travelled to New York at Christmas time.  We shopped and took in all the lovely Christmas decorations.  I had hoped to share some of that magic with my loved ones this year, but we had to cancel our trip.

I am telling you all of this, because I will admit that I am a little sad at not being able to get to the Big Apple for Christmas time.  Mainly because I wanted them to share in the magic with me.  But you see, Christmas used to be that trip to New York and if I wasn’t able to go then it seemed as though something was amiss. But when I dedicated myself to God and put Him first, something happened.  Going to New York at Christmas became extra.  So, even though I am a bit sad that we are not heading to New York today, my focus is on Christ our Savior.  I have learned that when I keep my mind and my heart and my soul focused on Him that He takes care of everything else.  I hope that He will allow me to take this trip next year, but I realize that it’s all in His hands and according to His will.  I could write a whole other blog about why I don’t think God wanted us to make this trip, but I’ll save that for another day.

Today what I want you to understand is that when we put God first, He takes care of everything else for us.  That doesn’t mean that we always get everything we want, but we do get what we need.  God knows what we need and His timing is always perfect.  So we must learn to trust in Him.

So I am happy to say that these days Christmas is all about Christ for me.  It’s about that journey from the manger to the cross in order to save a miserable sinner like me.  I am so grateful to God for His Son that He sent to die on the cross to save me, that the rest really doesn’t matter.

Don’t get me wrong, I still like a beautiful tree and pretty decorations.  I always want my loved ones to be pleased with the gift they receive from me, and I would love to be headed to New York right now, but all of that takes a back burner to the real reason that we celebrate Christmas.

For several years in a row my Christmas time was tragic.  Several Christmases in a row were spent in hospitals.  But I have come to learn that even if Christmas is spent in a hospital, God is there.  The One whose birthday we are celebrating is with us.  He is holding us and taking care of us and our loved ones.  We just need to focus on Him.

So, as you read this, I don’t know what your Christmas is looking like.  I don’t know if you are getting all that you need, but I pray that you are focusing on Him.  I pray that you really absorb this scripture passage and understand that for us, He is everything.  Once we know that and live in that way, He handles everything else.

Have a great day!