Numbers 28-29   The Lord gives Moses a reminder for the new generation of Israelites as they prepare to enter their new land.. "You shall be careful to present My offerings.. " 

There were daily offerings; Sabbath day offerings; Monthly.. new moon offerings;  offerings for Passover and for the Feast of weeks when the "new grain" was offered.  There were offerings for the feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Unleavened Bread..  These offerings included many bulls, goats,...lambs  who all  were without defect and 1 year old... there was grain offerings and drink offerings included.  All of these were commanded to be kept every year.. plus votive offerings, sin offerings, and freewill offerings as needed or desired.  The purpose of these offerings were to "make atonement" for the people.. to humble them before the Lord.. to honor the Lord by their obedience.. to keep the relationship that He established with His people. 

Every family would be involved in this.. either growing grain or grapes for the wine.. raising sheep and goats and bulls for the sacrifices.. and by keeping the Law.. the Sabbath days and the Feasts.  Every part of their lives would remind them that they needed to prepare for those days of worship.. as they sowed their fields, tended their flocks, or picked their grapes.. 

Later, we know that the people of Israel began to neglect these required offerings and observances.. til it got to the point where the Lord despised them and refused them.  They neglected the relationship with the Lord that was available to them.. forsaking Him.. while half-heartedly walking through the rituals. 

 We can learn from this.. as we do through every part of God's Word.. 

There are times of the year that are special to us as believers in Jesus Christ.. Christmas is a great celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus. But.... are we in danger of missing the relationship with our Lord in the midst of the rituals? those things we call "traditions"?   We know that Christmas is not about songs or presents or trees or whatever.. but even things like Christmas programs and Advent wreaths can become half-hearted attempts to include Jesus without really connecting with Him.. 

Father in heaven,  may Your Name be hallowed.. kept as Holy.. honored and lifted up.. as we come before You this day.. and during this season we call Christmas. May Your will be done and Your Kingdom come anew in our hearts as we turn our eyes upon Jesus. Fill us, Lord, with YOUR love and joy and peace as we rejoice that a Savior was born.. and that He fulfilled all of the Law and all of the sacrifices for us.. for our atonement from sin.. for our eternal souls.  May we not miss the most important thing about this celebration.. Jesus Christ came for us that we might come to You.  Thank You Father!  Thank You Jesus. Amen