Christmas has a singular voice and a focused purpose. There is no other call that truly matters and there is no other reason to celebrate.

The call of Christmas is to come.

Come to the manger.

Come see the wonder on the wrinkled cheeks of Elizabeth and feel the baby John jump in the presence of Jesus.

Come listen to the choral symphony of the angels and watch the sky explode in glorious and rare colors.

Come worship on your face with the Magi ... learned men of science and astronomy.

Come in amazement with the dirty shepherds and humbly kneel at the manger.

Come.

The culture of Christmas also has a voice and a particular purpose. The call of the culture is to overspend, to overeat and to overcommit.

The culture of the season removes the focus from the genuine heart and the clarion call of Christmas and then turns it toward materialism, cultural icons and magic.

The culture of the season distorts the astounding miracle and turns it into mere magic.

I dare not water down the power of Christmas with the foolish audacity of dancing snowmen and with the empty calories of sugar-laced confections. I dare not.

I have no elf on my shelf and there are no prancing reindeer in my front yard. However, let me quickly assure you that I am not a Scrooge nor am I the Grinch in feminine form.

I just believe that believers should celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with the gusto and intensity that it deserves. I also believe that those who know the Christ child should honor and respond to the call of Christmas.

Come.

There is no worldly distraction that deserves a second glance or even a moment of consideration. Heaven has touched earth with glory and with love.

Joy has come. The presence of God Himself has arrived in the warzone of planet earth and with the arrival of His dear presence the heart of hope beats once again.

And so, as believers, we sing the rich songs of Christmas that bring the eternal glory of the season to our home that has become His manger.

Imagine that. My home is His manger. I am in awe and wonder that He would choose me. I am incredulous that the simplicity of my life could greet the splendor of heaven's King.

Wonder of all wonders ... He has chosen me as the vehicle through which this cold and dark world would experience the love of the Savior. Just as Mary gave birth to Jesus at her singular moment in history, you and I have been chosen to reveal His power to our generation and to deliver His message.

As believers, we choose to give generously and abundantly to those who have been given to us by the Father. And as we give, we pray for hearts that will respond to the true call that December embraces.

As believers, we celebrate with joyous feasting the birth of a Baby Boy who invaded our world with heaven's love.

As believers, we brightly decorate our homes with lights that remind us of the star that shone brightly to lead weary travelers to the place where He lay.

As believers, we come.

"Oh come let us adore Him ... Christ the Lord!"

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, including No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released on Aug. 1. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.

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