It can really be a wonderful thing to revisit firsts. “This is where I first _______.” Probably the most important first in any Believers’ life is when we first met Jesus. I can remember kneeling at the bedside with my mother at about the age of 9 or 10 and being very aware of the fact that I needed a Savior. We prayed together in my little pink room, and when we were done, I seem to remember such a peace settling over me. I remember talking to Jesus a lot, about many things. I can remember times that I know He rescued me from very dangerous situations. I could sense His presence with me, even in these young and tender years.
Christmas does this for me every year. There is a sense of childlike wonder and awe that come over every single Christmas, and it lingers long after. I don’t want to take the lights down. I still have my tree up and it is February 1st. I miss the lights outside on everyone’s houses. I think Christmas reminds me of The First Time I met Jesus. Like that Beautiful Carol, so aptly expresses:
Long lay the World in sin and error pining
’til He appeared, and the Soul felt its worth
There is a simple and joyous sense of peace that comes over me every Christmas Season. It fills me with delight and happiness, this Season of Remembering Jesus. Even now, as an adult, the most precious thing I ever recall, is when I first realized that I finally belonged. I now belong to God, because of Jesus great love and sacrifice, I now know, without a doubt, that I belong to God. No one can take that away from me, “ 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) O, I am convinced, not because of anything about me, but because of everything about Him. No wonder I won’t take down the Christmas lights, the tree, all of it. It reminds me of the Precious Love of Christ which sings into my heart the sweet carols of His Salvation. Jesus is the Great “I Am,” with His Father and the Holy Spirit. And because of Jesus, I am more than a conqueror, more than a sinner redeemed by His Grace. He now calls me His friend, and I belong to Him. So I will leave up my Tree and lights just a little bit longer. And I will remember, with child like love and fascination, The Wonders of His Love.
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