The Holidays Are Here

The holidays are coming very quickly. Choir practices for Christmas musicals, planning Thanksgiving dinner, planning family get togethers for Christmas, gift purchases, sending out cards and all else which comes up to end another year. It is always a hectic time and you wonder if you will get through it.
Don’t get me wrong, I do like the holidays. It is always a great time of celebrating the birth of our Savior. Where would we be without that blessed birth? We would not be where we are for those of us who are Christians. I never tire of the story of His Coming. It is so full of miracles beginning with the Immaculate Conception and the angel’s announcement to Mary and Joseph being told in a dream. It is also full of simple things like his birth in a stable, not exactly what we think of now with the sterile birthing rooms including the doctors, nurses, and a lot of the time family is also present. Would most people in these days be willing to lay their new born child in the manger where the animals ate? Not highly likely with all the focus on cleanliness nowadays. Christ came quietly into this world with only his parents and the animals after being refused space in any inn in Bethlehem. It wasn’t until later other people came to acknowledge His birth beginning with the shepherds who were told by the angels as found in Luke Chapter two. Then followed the Magi, or wise men from the east, bearing their expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In some ways I wish we could concentrate on these things. Our schedules around this time of year become full of the things I mentioned before. You look at the calendar and wonder how can fit one more thing in.
This is where you have to determine you WILL have a time of quiet where you do concentrate on the simple things, on God’s wonderful gift of the season and what He did for all of us. You may have to hide your cell phone, computer, and other electronic gadgets to accomplish this but it will be worth it in calming your soul and finding a time of peace during this season. I have often thought about what God must think about what we have turned this time of the year into with the never ending ads for the “perfect gift” for loved ones while battling the crowds at the store to find it. Along with the making sure things are perfect when friends and family come over, decorating our homes and all the rest. The classic special for the season, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, comes to mind where Charlie is searching for the true meaning of Christmas. Nothing is going right for Charlie and there is little cooperation from the other kids as they prepare the annual Christmas pageant. Finally in utter frustration Charlie throws up his hands and declares, “Is there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about!?” Linus, blanket in hand, comes out and says, “I can Charlie Brown”, and proceeds to recite the Christmas story from the Book of Luke, chapter two. When finished Linus states simply, “That’s what Christmas is really all about, Charlie Brown.” The story in all its simplicity is what matters.
In the midst of all the hubbub, take time to sit back with a cup of your favorite tea or coffee, Bible in hand, and reread the Christmas story in one of the Gospels. Take the time to reflect on the true meaning for the season and have a grateful heart. I enjoy watching others opening their gifts and enjoy opening mine and greatly appreciate them all but keep the simple story in mind.