When I was in 7th grade, we moved and changed school districts within Colorado. I was a shy 12 year old- an age where it’s already difficult to fit in, much less be new. One of the most popular girls in our grade was having a birthday party, the kind of birthday party people would be talking about well into their 30s. Her parents were renting out the VFW and she was going to have a dance. Everyone was invited…well, everyone but me. While all my classmates slow-danced the night away to Boyz-to-Men, I most likely watched Full House with my younger brother.
So why do I share this shameful childhood memory? Because this December, one of the most talked about birthday parties in history will go down. And you are invited. And this time so am I (but most likely there will be no 90s slow jams. Unfortunate, I know.)
Yes, it’s Christmas! Jesus’ birthday! Everyone is invited. Whether you are a church-goer or a stay-at-homer, you are invited to this event. This is what the Bible says about it:
“Say there! Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine and milk-it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that doesn’t give you strength? Why pay for groceries that do you no good? Listen and I’ll tell you where to get good food that fattens up the soul!
Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you to give you all the unfailing mercies and love that I had for King David (the most well-loved Israeli king in the Bible).” -Isaiah 56 (NLT)
No one has to go through this holiday season (or any season for that matter) assuming that they are unloved. No one has to feel the rejection that I experienced as a 7th-grader in a new school.
Know that you are INVITED to come, to know, to receive. And it’s all free. In fact, at this birthday party, the guests receive the gifts. The guests receive the greatest Gift. And it doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve come from, or what you’re like.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is sung by a child with the lyrics, “Happy Birthday, Jesus. I’m so glad it’s Christmas. All the tinsel and lights. And the presents are nice. But the real gift is you.” He is the reason for the season. There is no Christmas without Christ. He is the guest of honor, and He has invited the whole world to His party. He wants EVERYONE to come, without conditions or fine print.
If you’ve never known what it’s like to be completely accepted, 100% received, may this season be the beginning. May we all rediscover the wonder of this great, embarrassingly extravagant love that invites us in and calls us friends.
