"It's the most wonderful time of the year". I agree with that sentiment. I am a huge fan of Christmas, as my previous blogs have attested to. I get excited when I see the first decorations, the first commercials, and the first songs are played on the radio. Lots of Christmas stuff starts sooner and sooner these days. Used to be after Thanksgiving, then Halloween - now its no surprise to see ornament displays late Summer. Lots of people feel burned out by the time Christmas arrives. Tired of all the songs, specials, and commercials. Not me, I cant get enough of it.
My favorite Christmas special is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. My favorite character is Bumbles the Abominable Snowman. My favorite Christmas song is Mr. Heat Miser (admit it, you're singing it now that I've mentioned it.)
I also enjoy shopping for others and getting them presents. I love the look on other's faces when they get that something special they've been asking for. Christmas has always been a fun and exciting time for me.
The most important reason I enjoy Christmas is because of how people are during that time. People seem to be generally nicer to each other, more helpful, and more giving. A lot of time is spent hanging out with friends and family bonding together. This is also a time when people go back to church, even if its only for one day. There is also a hefty dose of nostalgia during the holiday season. People recall with great affection Christmases past and friends and family who may now be departed. It gives one hope that people can genuinely nice and caring to one another, even complete strangers. People look each other in the eye, smile at each other, and even talk to each other even if it is only to wish each other Merry Christmas. Yes, I know for some Christmas can be stressful, even sorrowful - but the overall mood seems to be of peace and tranquility. For those of you for whom Christmas is a negative, I pray this season will be one of great joy.
The saddest part for me is that this mood towards each others ends on December 26th. People go back to their lives, back to the daily grind. Maybe its because its winter and there's nothing to look forward to until the winter ends. People once again retreat from the camaraderie of friends and family until the next Christmas. I do the same, I see certain relatives only at Christmas. They feel they fulfilled their obligation to God by making their token appearance at church.
My question to those who go to church at Christmas and no other time is "Why do you go?" What is it about church that makes you come to Christmas, but not the following week? I'm not bashing people like this, but its something I would like to know. I'm glad people still come even just for Christmas. My hope is that something would happen and you would continue to come.
What can the members of the church do to make it a more welcoming place? I believe there's something innate in each of us that makes us feel it is important to come to church for that once a year visit. My prayer is that the Lord will meet you this year in a new and powerful way. I pray that God does something amazing in your life which is unexplainable other than God is behind it. I know that He can help with anything you may be feeling or holding you back in a relationship with him. The Lord can meet you in it, no matter what you think.
My hope is that we can continue this Christmas mood beyond just the Christmas season. We should be more willing to help out our fellow man each and every day. Whether its with our finances, our strength and talents, or even our ears to listen. Spending more time with friends and family should not be reserved for the holidays. I know we all have family members that drive us crazy or have hurt us in the past. Family is a blessing and we need to remember that before it is too late. I know that some family situations are extremely difficult and I don't want to sugarcoat that either. In those situations, you may want to turn it over to God. Let him hear what's on your mind and also to listen to him. Don't let anger and bitterness consume you.
Be willing to forgive each other, be willing to listen, be willing to care. How we choose to live our lives can be a blessing to those around us. Let's not blow those chances getting wrapped up in our self-interests.
The gift we received from God at Christmas was a helpless babe in a manger in Bethlehem. Jesus, who came to save us from our sins. Let's not waste that gift and leave it unwrapped. Let us all share that Christmas gift not just at Christmas, but every day as we are called to do.
Merry Christmas!!!
P.S. If any of you are shopping for a gift for me, I am looking for an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle. If you can get it for me, I would be grateful. My mom won't - she says something about shooting my eye out.
My favorite Christmas special is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. My favorite character is Bumbles the Abominable Snowman. My favorite Christmas song is Mr. Heat Miser (admit it, you're singing it now that I've mentioned it.)
I also enjoy shopping for others and getting them presents. I love the look on other's faces when they get that something special they've been asking for. Christmas has always been a fun and exciting time for me.
The most important reason I enjoy Christmas is because of how people are during that time. People seem to be generally nicer to each other, more helpful, and more giving. A lot of time is spent hanging out with friends and family bonding together. This is also a time when people go back to church, even if its only for one day. There is also a hefty dose of nostalgia during the holiday season. People recall with great affection Christmases past and friends and family who may now be departed. It gives one hope that people can genuinely nice and caring to one another, even complete strangers. People look each other in the eye, smile at each other, and even talk to each other even if it is only to wish each other Merry Christmas. Yes, I know for some Christmas can be stressful, even sorrowful - but the overall mood seems to be of peace and tranquility. For those of you for whom Christmas is a negative, I pray this season will be one of great joy.
The saddest part for me is that this mood towards each others ends on December 26th. People go back to their lives, back to the daily grind. Maybe its because its winter and there's nothing to look forward to until the winter ends. People once again retreat from the camaraderie of friends and family until the next Christmas. I do the same, I see certain relatives only at Christmas. They feel they fulfilled their obligation to God by making their token appearance at church.
My question to those who go to church at Christmas and no other time is "Why do you go?" What is it about church that makes you come to Christmas, but not the following week? I'm not bashing people like this, but its something I would like to know. I'm glad people still come even just for Christmas. My hope is that something would happen and you would continue to come.
What can the members of the church do to make it a more welcoming place? I believe there's something innate in each of us that makes us feel it is important to come to church for that once a year visit. My prayer is that the Lord will meet you this year in a new and powerful way. I pray that God does something amazing in your life which is unexplainable other than God is behind it. I know that He can help with anything you may be feeling or holding you back in a relationship with him. The Lord can meet you in it, no matter what you think.
My hope is that we can continue this Christmas mood beyond just the Christmas season. We should be more willing to help out our fellow man each and every day. Whether its with our finances, our strength and talents, or even our ears to listen. Spending more time with friends and family should not be reserved for the holidays. I know we all have family members that drive us crazy or have hurt us in the past. Family is a blessing and we need to remember that before it is too late. I know that some family situations are extremely difficult and I don't want to sugarcoat that either. In those situations, you may want to turn it over to God. Let him hear what's on your mind and also to listen to him. Don't let anger and bitterness consume you.
Be willing to forgive each other, be willing to listen, be willing to care. How we choose to live our lives can be a blessing to those around us. Let's not blow those chances getting wrapped up in our self-interests.
The gift we received from God at Christmas was a helpless babe in a manger in Bethlehem. Jesus, who came to save us from our sins. Let's not waste that gift and leave it unwrapped. Let us all share that Christmas gift not just at Christmas, but every day as we are called to do.
Merry Christmas!!!
P.S. If any of you are shopping for a gift for me, I am looking for an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle. If you can get it for me, I would be grateful. My mom won't - she says something about shooting my eye out.
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