Just in case you haven't checked your calendar, Christmas is coming early this year. We have three weeks to decorate, shop, send out cards, and party. I keep looking at my calendar hoping it is a mistake! Stress!
Jon and Rachel decided (actually Rachel wanted to experience this phenomenon) that they would get up at 3:30 a.m. and hit the stores on "Black Friday." I can't begin to tell you how sound I slept knowing that two little elves were getting some of this chore done for me! Their first stop was Kohl's where they grabbed and ran to the check-out saving over $200.00. Their next stop was Target, which had 400 people in line to get in. Anything electronic was the hot item. Jon purchased things he didn't know we needed because of the excitement. Rachel loved the rush of the experience, and I think Jon is in trouble because she is going to pester him again to do it next year. I feel a tradition coming on!!
As I had my quiet time with God this morning, I asked Him for inspiration this Christmas season so that I could really write something meaningful, and experience the meaning of Christmas more deeper myself. Last year, The Duyshart Family gave me a book by Rick Warren called "The Purpose of Christmas." As I read this book, I want to share with you some of Rick Warren's thoughts on the purpose of this incredible holiday. The first thing he reminds me of is that Christmas is the largest celebration around the world. The sights on sounds of Christmas are everywhere.
"If you stop and think about it, it is astounding that the simple, unassuming birth of a peasant boy born two thousand years ago in the Middle East has caused such commotion. The night Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small group of poor shepherds was quietly tending their flocks of sheep in a nearby field. Nothing seemed different. But what was about to happen would transform not only the shepherds, but billions of other lives as well."
There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-14
The angel said that Jesus' birth would bring great joy for all people. Somehow Christmas has become a source of stress and sadness. This time of season makes us miss the ones we have lost. Depression and lonliness increase. Family relationships that are strained need to be dealt with. Some people have no faith that includes the true meaning of Christmas, so they feel uneasy. Christmas can be exhausting.
"Regardless of your background, religion, problems, or circumstances, Christmas really is the best news you could get. Beneath all the visible sights and sounds of Christmas are some simple yet profound truths that can transform your life for the better here on earth and for forever in eternity. Right now there's nothing more important for you to understand than the implication of Christmas in your life."
I am going to try to slow down, and I hope you can too. The best Christmas gift we can all recieve is the one that came straight from God. God's gift to us is priceless (Jesus' paid the price). God's gift will last forever. God's gift is practical- we can use it every day of our life.
You don't have to wait until December 25th! You can get this gift today!
Blessings,
Sandy
