52 Voices

Beginning in January C3 Leaders will be providing a  peer to peer weekly reflection from business leaders related to their journey with Christ. Each weekly devotion will be written by a different author from among the C3 Leaders community, 52 unique authors to be exact.

It’s here. The season to be jolly.  But instead of happiness and joy, busyness and stress

often tie the bows on our holidays. That’s why I like this story. A friend who knows I like

good stories sent it to me. It offers up a spontaneous, yet thoughtful answer to the

question, “Who started Christmas?” 

It seems a woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours

of looking at row upon row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hearing her

children ask for everything they saw on those many shelves, she and the kids finally

made it to the elevator. 

She was feeling what many of us feel during the holidays. Overwhelming pressure to go

to every party, do every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, get that

perfect gift for every person on our shopping list, make sure we don’t forget anyone on

our card list, and respond to everyone who sent us ‘first’ cards this year.

At last the elevator doors opened. There was already a crowd inside, but she managed

to push her way in, dragging her children and all the bags of stuff in with her. When the

doors closed she couldn’t take it anymore and cried out, “Whoever started this whole

Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot!” 

From the back everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, “Don’t worry. We already

crucified him.” 

For the rest of the way down, the elevator was quiet. Words were unnecessary. Silence

said it all. Everyone knew. We had unwrapped the most precious gift ever given. Held it

up. Looked it over. It wasn’t what we had asked for. So we killed it! 

But, thankfully, that’s not the end of the story. Still today, when life’s doors open up for

us, no matter what level we are on, there he is again. Standing at the door (Rev. 3:20).

Gift in hand. Offering it to everyone. No exceptions. He is simply amazing! 

So don’t forget to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your thoughts,

actions, purchases, and words this year. If you are looking for something that will

change your own life? A gift you can give away to your family members, your colleagues and friends? John 3:16 is the right card to hold up.

Christ in commerce, community and culture. He is the true game changer. At Christmas

time or anytime.