The Final, Most Important Character of Christmas ... *and it's not Jesus* {Day 25}

I had a great post all spun out.  Truly poignant.  I was actually quite proud of it.

And then I felt like God told me I had it all wrong.  Here's how it went.

God: You're missing it.
Me: How?!?!
God: Look closely.
Me: It's the Christmas story; how can I be missing it?  I've got it memorized for crying out loud!
God: You're writing about the most important part.
Me: I know, God.  That's why I wrote about Jesus.
God: Keep looking.
Me: Seriously.  Seriously?  You want me to look some place else to find the most important part?
God: Keep looking.

I just have to ask.  Is anyone else as confused as I was at this point?  I mean, really, it's Jesus' birthday.  Who could be more important than Jesus?

Me: Okay, God, I looked.  I do not see any other character to write about.  Well, okay, there's Simeon, the rabbi who circumcised the infant Jesus on the 8th day, the animals in the stable.  But, God, it's the last post in the series and I want to write about Jesus!  I saved the best part for last.

And then I heard it.  The truth.  An epiphany.

God:  Jesus isn't the most important character in the Christmas story.  He is Christmas.  

Me: Okay, true.  I can see that.  But that's just a phrase to talk about the people in the story.

God: Yes, but there is another character who is important that I want you to write about.

Me: Sure thing.  WHO?

God: YOU.  Everyone who reads this.  Jesus isn't a character in the story; He is the story.  But you are.  You, and every other person throughout time on this earth.  Without you all, I would never have sent Him in the first place.  The opening line of my love letter to earth came in the form of a newborn babe.  I signed that letter on Calvary in red.  I know you want to celebrate His birthday, and that is precious.  But realize how incredibly precious, please.  Christmas symbolizes the moment in history that I knew it was finally time to redeem you so that we no longer had to be separated.  Christmas symbolizes the second time in history that God walked with man and gives hope for the next and final time.  Christmas symbolizes, more than anything, how I wrote you a love letter before I even created you and had a plan because nothing -not sin, not death, not hell itself- could keep me away from you.  Christmas is about YOU and how much YOU are loved.

Merry Christmas friends!