For me, 2018 has been a year about perspective.
I wrote The Lens of Leadership, gained a new perspective of my company and my role in it, and became a father.
As a dad, this Christmas morning is a new experience for me. I get to see it through the eyes of my son. Although he’s not old enough to understand the meaning of Christmas, he still enjoys the lights on the tree, the bright colors of the wrapped presents, and the excitement of his cousins.
Even as an adult, everything looks different at Christmas.
The houses in neighborhoods are covered with decorations and lights.
The person behind you in the department store checkout line is a little nicer.
The hope-filled music makes you think about the goodness in the world.
But not everything looks easier during this season.
Oftentimes the bank account balance looks lower than we’d like.
The person smiling and ringing the bell outside the grocery store reminds you that there are people less fortunate than you.
The family gathered around the table reminds you of the people you’re thankful for, but it also is a sobering reminder of the people you love that aren’t there.
Christmas creates a constant challenge for our perspectives. We’re surrounded with reminders of the good, the joy, the hope, but we’re also bombarded with the challenge, the hurt, and the need.
On this Christmas, let’s fix our focus back to the true meaning of the season, to the baby born in Bethlehem. What a sight when we shift our perspective to the wondrous mystery of Jesus Christ. The God of all creation came to earth, and he came as a baby. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, but he came as a baby. And he came for you and for me.
And the most important perspective for us this Christmas is for each of us to remember that it doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, or how you feel today.
Are you discouraged? Do you feel hopeless?
I’ve got good news. The baby born in a manger in Bethlehem, the Christ of the Christmas story, came for you.
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
– Isaiah 9:6
