You Don’t Have to Chase Christmas Magic - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 13
You Don’t Have to Chase Christmas Magic
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
Editor's Note: There is no audio recording for today's devotional (12/13). Regular audio recordings will return tomorrow (12/14).
In Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi, Mickey wants to buy Minnie a gold chain for her watch as a Christmas gift, but he doesn’t have enough funds to buy it. At the same time, Minnie wants to buy Mickey a harmonica box for his prized harmonica, but she also lacks the money needed to do this.
After many issues arise for both of them in their attempts to gather the necessary funds, each one finds a challenging solution. As Mickey walks around town, he comes upon a toy drive, where he learns that he can trade his harmonica for a gold chain. Mickey is overjoyed and eagerly runs to meet Minnie with her gift. He hands Minnie’s gift to her, and her eyes immediately fill with tears. He had gifted her with the gold chain she needed to go with her watch, but she didn’t have her watch anymore.
She had sold her watch in order to have enough money to buy the harmonica case for Mickey. Their hearts are both filled with love when they realize the sacrifice they made for one another. This is true love, not a fabricated, self-focused love, but rather, a love that is sacrificial, genuine, and pure.
So, what biblical lessons can we take from these fictional, animated characters?
Intersecting Faith & Life
This story connects us to the very reason Jesus came down to earth as a baby. Out of God’s great love for us, He sent His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16-17). The Apostle John tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
John walked with Jesus throughout His ministry, which helped him to develop a vast understanding of Jesus’ great love for humanity. He was part of the inner three and was known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 21:7, 21:20). John was also present at the crucifixion and death of the Lord, which further added to his understanding of the Lord’s love (John 19:26-27).
Throughout John’s writings, we see that sacrifice is a part of genuine love. There is no greater love than sacrificing your own needs, wants, desires, or even your very life for someone else. Jesus Himself extends this type of love to us throughout our entire lives.
Christmas magic is often tied together with elaborate gifts, but Christmas magic naturally comes to us when we focus on Jesus. Out of the Lord’s great love for us, He sacrificed His life for our own (Romans 5:8).
Follow Jesus this Christmas season rather than trying to chase after what the world advertises as “Christmas magic.” Everything we could ever need or want is found in Christ. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. The magical feeling of Christmas will fade away, but the sacrificial love of Jesus stays with us forever.
Have you tried to chase Christmas magic before? What did this look like? How can you chase after Jesus this Christmas season instead?
Further Reading:
Matthew 6:25-33
John 15:13
1 John 3:16
How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/eggeeggjiew
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