Matthew 19:16-26

Jesus tells a man that in order to follow him, he must let go of his wealth - not because wealth is bad, but because the man was trusting in it for life and it was choking him. 

The Christmas story has the power to free us from the idols we cling to, the false gods that we think we need but which are fragile and will inevitably let us down. 

Ironically, Christmas is also a time when we are especially tempted to get caught up clinging to the all kinds of distractions. 

Jesus invites us to let go of the branch and follow him.