Christmas is bearing down. That seems to be the case more every year. I’m not sure if it’s me advancing in years that makes time move more swiftly or perhaps it has to do with how busy everyone is in general. I have always loved and continue to love the message of hope that Christmas exudes. The thing I disdain more every year is how Christmas becomes more about the “things” that are given or received. Now before you all say I’m hypocritical let’s except that fact that a huge part of the excitement that surrounds Christmas has to do with the children and watching their eyes light up as they open their gifts. I think that has to do with the joy the adults gain from it all. That being said, as you age a bit Christmas should really be more about the message.
It’s true that with each passing year that Christmas seems to become more of a commercial event than religious. Our schools can not even mention any religious connotations at the risk of a lawsuit. Isn’t it ironic that the minute anything of a catastrophic nature occurs that everyone turns to God but when things are seemingly in human control so many want to be dismissive about anything religious. I won’t let that fact disrupt me from celebrating Christmas for my own reasons. I think the Thanksgiving holiday is all about taking stock whereas the Christmas holiday is all about understanding where that stock comes from and why we have the privilege of being able to give thanks.
So enjoy your Christmas for your own selfish reasons but at the very least enjoy it. Try to be mindful of the many people out there struggling to even have a Christmas and the many people that will have no Christmas. Although Thanksgiving has passed, I think it still important to give thanks if you are fortunate enough to be able to have a good Christmas.
I sincerely wish all of you a most blessed Christmastide and I hope for more than just presents under your trees, I hope for everyone to come to realize that the only true gift you will get this Christmas is the gift of our savior.
