Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
My kids don’t say much about how I decorate the house for the holidays. White lights versus colored lights, to blink or not to blink, red and green bows or red and white ribbon, they really don’t care as long as our pine garland and white lights go around the inside of the front door. It’s a decoration the children remember me hanging every Christmas since they were little. It’s not officially the holidays until that gets hung and plugged in.
Last year, while I was unpacking the garland, I noticed it was falling apart and looked quite sad. The pinecones were flaking, the fake berries were peeling, and there were more needles on the floor than on the branches. It was time to retire this old garland and purchase some new. So, when the holidays were over, I did what any thrifty woman would do, I hit up the after Christmas sales! 150% off? I’ll take it.
This year, I cannot wait to hang the new garlands! The pine is the perfect shade of green, the pinecones are all whole and complete, and every single light shines beautifully bright. I’m so excited to see the kids’ faces light up when they see their favorite decoration got a makeover.
Friends, that is what Christ does for us. When we decide to follow him, trust him, and ask for forgiveness, he takes all of our past failures, blemishes, and sins and replaces them with perfect grace and love. He tosses out our old selves and makes us new! No more trying to cover up our sinful blemishes. When we are with Christ, we are made a new creation!
So, this season, let’s not behave as weary, worn-out decorations. Let’s shine and sparkle and show the world what our Savior has done for us!
We’re wishing you a very Merry Christmas, full of peace and joy!
