With Christmas in the air, several things go through my mind. Many of you are probably getting caught up in the Christmas rush. Commercialism has taken over and its not fun anymore.
Perhaps, too, its my attitude that's not right. I'm trying to work on that. I'm seeking for the Spirit of Christmas to enter my heart, not the mayhem of Christmas.
I can make that choice, and I will, regardless of the craziness around me.
I love to buy presents for people. It's fulfilling to see their eyes light up when they open that special gift purchased uniquely for them. But anymore, it's become a contest to see who can buy the best (which usually means the most expensive) gift. Yet I know that is not the true meaning of gift-giving.
However, I really wish that my pocketbook was as big as my heart so that I could buy gifts for everyone.
I like to give meaningful gifts that leave memories in your heart, not gifts that get put in a drawer and are never used. People nowadays have so many "things" that it's hard to buy them something they don't already have or that they even need.
I love watching my grandchildren on Christmas morning. It brings back memories of my own childhood. My mom made Christmas exciting for us. She loved everything about it. She's now in Heaven. I cherish the memories she left me.
I thank my aunts and uncles who helped Santa arrange our toys around the Christmas tree after my brothers and sisters and I were tucked into bed, and then returned Christmas morning to share in our excitement, probably after only 2-3 hours of sleep.
My Uncle Frank made Christmas Eve special with his big box for us to dive into in search of the gift with our name on it. He's in Heaven now, too.
I wonder. Do they celebrate Christmas in Heaven?
Christmas originated with God who gave His gift to the whole earth -- the gift of His Son. (In fact, He had this all planned before He ever created the earth and mankind.)
The gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, is the gift that changed everything. Without this special gift, none of us would have any hope of ever getting to Heaven. Who doesn't want to go to Heaven? It seems that there really are people who could care less. I don't understand them.
Another event that is special to me in December is the memory of the birth of my first child in 1969. It seems like only yesterday that I sat with him in the rocking chair beside the Christmas tree, totally absorbed in him as his eyes were "fixed" on the twinkling lights. His soft, baby-silk hair against my cheek and his warm, baby-lotion-scented body held securely against my heart gave me cause to think about that first Christmas and the precious Baby born to Mary and Joseph that Holy Night.
Christ came to bring "peace on earth and goodwill toward men." What has happened to that peace? What has happened to that goodwill toward our fellow man? What has Christmas become?
Pause for a moment and reflect on this song -- "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing."
Prepare room for Him in your heart. This is my gift to you. Merry CHRISTmas!
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
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