The crowd around her was thick and excited, buzzing with anticipation of the One they were there to see. Whispers of “Messiah… Nazarene… Jesus… Teacher…” all floated through the air, but the woman barely heard. She was so weak and so weary, barely managing to make her way through the throng. Every step seemed impossible, tempting her to stop, to turn around, but she was not there to look at the One that everyone else was curious about. She wasn’t there be able to tell others that she had seen the famous Nazarene. No, she was there to find the One that so many claimed could heal her. She wasn’t there to see Jesus. She was there to reach Jesus.

She was so close. She could see Him, surrounded by so many who reached out to touch His clothes, His hair, His hands, gleefully excited to have been so close to the Master. And that’s when she reached out, desperate, and brushed the edge of His garment, praying that it would be enough for the power in Him to make her whole.

Instantly, the power in His body cleansed her and restored the sickness she had battled for 12 long years. She knew it. And He knew it too. Her touch was different, not because of who she was, but because she knew who He was and what He could do. Of all the men and women surrounding her, she alone had experienced His power because she alone was there for it. She alone was really there for Jesus.

In this season of Christmas, it is so easy to find myself flitting around Jesus, just like the crowd. I put a nativity scene on my mantle, attend the Christmas plays and services, and sing the carols. But am I celebrating Christmas or am I celebrating Jesus?

He is with us, today, as much as 2000 years ago, and I don’t want to be guilty of making it about anything other than reaching and worshiping Him. There is nothing wrong with Christmas lights and trees, hot cocoa and matching pajamas, presents and cookies, and I will enjoy these. But it’s not why I celebrate.

And I’m not celebrating so that I can brag about the glimpses of Jesus I caught in this season. I want to be able to proclaim His power that I personally experienced and received throughout this season. I want to make Christmas about more than celebrating. I want to make it about worshipping the One who is the reason I am whole.