Christmas--a Wonderful Holiday

So-- it is Christmas, you have spent a great deal of time shopping for that perfect gift for your loved ones. Dealt with crowded lines, a great deal of traffic, and in some places did this in extreme weather. You are now ready to spend hours wrapping those gifts, and filling out the little tags that go with them. The days ( Or Months ) prior to this you have picked out Christmas cards to send to Friends and Family. Armed with rolls of stamps, you write little notes in these cards, place them in the envelope, and stuff them in your mailbox ( Let us remember to leave something for the Mailman)

It is time to prepare the Fiest. Yes for the most of us, there is the Christmas dinner. You Know--the one where you spend all day preparing a wonderful meal so your children, grandchildren, friends and family can invade your quite home, sent the cat into hiding, break a dinner tray (Or Two), leave wrapping paper in places you never dreamed possible, and leave.

After you have done the mountain of dishes, picked the scraps off the floor, given your Cat an Anti-deppresant---you are now ready to relax and enjoy the evening. As you sit in front of the TV and think of the charges you have put on your credit cards, the News informs you that the major retail stores are thrilled with the unexpected turnout, and are looking at a great deal of profit--meanwhile your wishing you had bought Junior that 80 dollar bike instead of the 150 Dollar bike you bought.

So--minus the fact that you have now spent your Life Savings, your Retirement is gone, and there is the possibility of a Second Mortgage, Christmas went well. Friends and Family loved the Meal and were greatfull for the gifts (Or the opportunity to exchange them for what they really wanted) Hopefully you did not forget to invite anyone to this celebration--Well--Chances are you missed one--JESUS!

Yes--Jesus, you Know--the one whom this Holiday is actually for! Did you thank Jesus for the gifts he gave you. That beautifull daughter, Her successfull Husband, and those three adorable children (OK-now I'm pushing it). While stewing over the Debt you incurred on this day--were you thankful that you could even do so? Did you thank HIM for the blessings you have in your Home and Family Life--some are not so lucky--Did you take the time to offer a little prayer for the less fortunate. Isn't that what Christmas is about. Christmas is not suppose to be about making the "Major Chains" wealthy, it is not about what you wrapped in that little box, nor that turkey or ham you prepared.

So--Next Christmas, enjoy your Fellowship with your friends, hug your children and grandchildren, on the way to the Mall to spend your Cash--stop and say Merry Christmas to that Homeless man. But most important of all--don't wait till Christmas to invite Jesus into your home--invite him in everyday!