This morning I was sitting in my Grandma's Church, and listening to her sing in the Christmas Cantata. This past week had been long and tiring, due to finals and traveling home. Sitting there feeling tired and relieved, I was excited to see the play and song choice the church had decided to go with this year. The name of the Cantata was "10,000 Hallelujahs." It was about a woman who was 82-years-old, and was known for sitting in a doctor's office, and leading people to Christ by asking the question, "do you believe in Christmas?"

The woman had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and only had about six months to live, but she considered it her "flight schedule," until she could go home. She was eventually admitted to the hospital and lead many more people to Christ on her hospital floor. As the story continued, I realized I wasn't sure what the question was asking. "Do I believe in Christmas?" Well, it was interesting to think about, because of course I believed in the holiday that we celebrated, and the gift giving, and normal holiday traditions, but this wasn't what the question was asking. As in the story of the woman, the head nurse also had "celebrated" Christmas, but didn't truly believe in the reason for Christmas.

This was a turning moment in my heart, as I realized, even as a Christian, I had been caught up in the normal routine of celebrating Christmas, but not believing or celebrating the true reason of Christmas. In that moment, I also realized that my heart had not been on fire for God, as it should be.

I wasn't witnessing daily, but concerned and overwhelmed by everyday life. God wants us to remember the real reason for Christmas. Christmas isn't a time for celebration only. It's a time for believing and showing our belief in Jesus Christ. Not only that, in history there was a man named Jesus who lived on earth and died, but God's Son. A man who came as a baby in a manger died on a cross for our sins, conquered the grave, ascended into heaven, and is coming again one day.

God loves us so much, and even in the woman's dying moments she wanted to share the love of Jesus Christ with the head nurse, who had dismissed Christ, but, in the end, accepted Christ as her Savior. The woman died on Christmas, but she didn't mourn, she had a chance to sing a "10,000 Hallelujahs" for Christ bringing her home.

This Cantata reminded me of the true reason for Christmas. It also spoke to my heart on not just living "day-to-day," but with a purpose that is meaningful and serves God. A life that shows my belief and trust in Christ as my Savior. The tears are temporary, but the joy of Christ is eternal.

Merry Christmas!