Christmas can be a magical time of year. Children are excited, the
weather changes (for some), beautiful lights and decorations flood the stores
and streets, and many people seem to be in a merrier mood. Of course, this
isn't always the case. Some people do not enjoy this time of year-and to them I
say bah humbug! For those of us who are
Christians, we have an even greater reason to celebrate. I know we have all
heard this a lot, but it is important to set aside time to remember how God
sent His son to earth to take on an earthly body as a little baby boy, knowing
He would one day sacrifice that Son to save us.
This year brought an amazing Christmas Day for my family. After a fairly hectic
month with work, doctor appointments, and crowded shopping, that day was so
peaceful. My brother and I took charge of making the dinner, and he even ground
up the turkey and stuffing so my mom could enjoy it since her jaw isn't fully
healed. We enjoyed gifts and filming the cats (our children) with their new
toys. Then, as my dad was reading about the nativity, it started snowing! It
was a great day that we did not want to end.
After such a wonderful day, I was deeply saddened as I started at work the
following day. Despite the weather, many people decided to take advantage of
the clearance sales, so the store was crowded. But I expected that. What really
got to me is that after such a magical day, everyone was carrying on business
as usual. Customers were frantic and impatient. Drivers on the slick roads were
the same. My coworkers were discussing grievances about the job. It was like
time was frozen in the snow that one Christmas Day, and then it unfroze and
life forgot it. It seems that the music, lights, joyful spirits, and goodwill
all faded in an instant. Why do people allow themselves to forget so
quickly? Why do we change back to our
normal glum selves when the family goes home and the decorations come
down? Shouldn't we have those joyful
feelings and kindhearted nature all the time?
And what about those who don't feel that way even on Christmas? I don't believe God meant for us to get so
caught up in our day to day busyness that we become grumpy, depressed,
stressed-out, or inconsiderate. We need
to not only look at Christmas through the eyes of a child; we also need to find
that childlike faith all year long. So,
as we enter a new year, don't allow the Christmas spirit and its true meaning
to fizzle out. If you are too busy to spend time with God, then you are too
busy! Let us not forget the things God
has blessed us with. As my pastor says, if God doesn't bless you beyond your
salvation, you still have a reason to thank Him. And if you are not saved,
please consider God's gift, it's the best Christmas present of all!
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come
to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as
these. I tell you the truth, anyone who
will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” Luke 18:16-17 (NIV)
