That’s what Christmas is all about!
Christmas is next week!
Stores are packed with customers. Online sales are booming. Beautiful decorations are everywhere.
Have you finished your shopping?
Many of us are stressed. I’M NOT READY YET!
But, December 25 is coming–ready or not!
Do you ever wonder, “What is Christmas all about?”
It probably depends on who you ask and when you ask them. Children might answer, “Presents!”
Merchants may view the Christmas season as their best source of income.
School children (and teachers) look forward to a long break from school. (Parents may not!)
But, for some, Christmas isn’t merry. Many folks dread the coming holiday. They dislike crowds, Christmas music, worrying over what presents to buy, company visiting, or the loneliness of an empty house.
So…is Christmas a season of joy and family or only a commercial event?
What IS Christmas all about?
For Christians, this season is a time of joyous celebration. During Advent we anticipate the birth of our Lord.
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.'” John 1:23
We think of Mary as she prepared for the birth of her son…
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:31
After Advent comes the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Can we find time this year to remember the “reason for the season”?
It’s a challenge! If you’re like me, you’re nearly overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life and duties just seem to quadruple during December. This season is more complicated for me because our church sponsors a Dinner Theater. Since November, my time has been consumed by preparation–play practice, planning the meals, gathering helpers and revamping plans when emergencies occur. Our dinner and play was this past weekend. WHEW! I’m so glad it’s over!
But, one thing our play does is remind me of what we’re celebrating. THAT is not wasted work! Many hands and feet came together to provide a meal and put on a play that honors the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Those members of our community who attended ate a bounteous meal, had fellowship together, laughed and sang as we praised and worshiped.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:2-3
On that first Christmas, long ago, God gave us the greatest gift–his Son. He loved us so much that He sent His son to save us–guilty and sinful as we are–Jesus came to free us from our bondage.
That is love!
And, that’s what Christmas is all about!
Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Christmas, my friends. I’m going to take a break from writing during the holidays. I look forward to joining in fellowship with you again in 2020!
Until 2020 Ms. Katherine. May your holidays be filled with joyous celebration of our Savior, wonderful times with friends and family, and the making of joyous memories throughout your days ma’am. God’s blessings to you, “Farmer Bob”, and your entire family.
Thank you, J.D. I pray that you and your family will also have a joyous CHRISTmas (I like the way you write this wonderful word in your posts to remind us what Christmas is all about). Thank you for the blessing you have brought to me this year through your writing, your friendship, and your prayers.
Prayers for your family during this Christmas. 💕Just this morning I slipped downstairs and read/recited the Christmas story from Luke. I remember as a young child we memorized the scripture in school. And those words take me back to those childhood days and means even more today.
The Christmas story in Luke is so beautiful. It is not only an amazing description of our Lord’s humble birth, but Luke shares the promise that God loves us, each and every one of us, no matter our social status, wealth, or occupation. Thank you for sharing this special memory and the reminder of the miracle shared in the Gospel of Luke.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Looking forward to more of your writing in 2020.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, too! May your holiday be filled with love, joy, and peace.
Thank you Katherine. Though everything you mentioned is part of Christmas – presents, family, experiences, events-there will always be some element of disappointment because they may not measure up to our expectations or desires. One that surpasses of expectation is God’s love sent to us and present every minute without fail.
You expressed the real meaning of Christmas, Marilyn–God’s gift of love surpasses all our feeble human understanding. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas.
Thanks for the reminder of what Christmas is all about. I haven’t decorated the house. I have no tree. I’ve wrapped no presents. I’ve made no plans. My wife died in the early spring of 2018. My three adult children are teetering on either side of forty years of age, some out of state, others close by with busy work schedules. Oh, I’ll go that Christmas Eve candlelight services as the big mega-church I attend but Christmas has seemed like a vacuum this year. Your post is a great reminder for me of what Christmas is all about.
Jimmie, I think holidays are so difficult for us when our dearest loved ones have gone ahead of us to meet Jesus. And, your recent health issues bring more challenges for you to cope with this season. Praying for you, my friend.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas also! Yes Christmas is about love.
And, what an awesome and amazing gift of love God sent us on that special day–Jesus! Praying we can share that love with others and be the example that will make a difference in our world.
The busyness of your Christmas play is similar to my focus recently: my grandson’s first birthday. And, though that’s important and so so exciting!!!, it kept me busy enough that I’m behind with my Christmas preparations, also. But, yes, it will arrive on December 25 whether I get ready or not. YET – the reason for the season, the Son of God who slept in the manger, should be my focus instead of the busyness of the shopping, decorating, and cooking. Thanks for the reminder, my friend!
Oh, the blessings of grandchildren! Didn’t God give the most amazing blessing when he sent us grandchildren? That’s a good reason not to be quite ready for Christmas. I keep telling myself we can have a wonderful celebration of love this Christmas even if I’m not decorated and the house isn’t clean! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, my friend.