MERRY CHRISTMAS

  Happy Holidays??!! I don’t think so. It has and will always be MERRY CHRISTMAS. I love Christmas! I love everything about Christmas – the aroma of cookies baking, the decorating (the doing), the haunting fragrance from the outdoor pine tree, the caroling followed by cookies and hot chocolate. I enjoy the hustle and bustle - the excitement in children's eyes and the mischievous smile in the eyes of parents. I love buying presents for those I love and remembering the joys of Christmases past. I love family being together and engaging in the activities of this season and holiday. Yes... even the snow. This is such a glorious and joyous time of year.

  However... often the reason for the holiday is lost in the process. And with Christmas, the world has commercialized it to such a degree that it’s difficult to recognize its true reason. What we need to be mindful of is that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year because it starts the salvation process. Without Christmas, there is no Easter and without Easter, there is no salvation. And Jesus really is and has always been the reason for the season because if He hadn't been willing to be our propitiation we would be eternally lost. 

  Presents are lovely, but... it is the inexpressible joy of knowing that I have been saved that is the grandest present of all. I pray that it will mark the beginning of a joy filled and fruitful year for you – that is an indescribable gift.

[That was the article I provided for my church's monthly newsletter that I also wanted to share on my blog. There is so very much that I could write about Christmas but this short article sums it quite well.

 To you, who have made Jesus your Lord, may Christmas mark the beginning of a deeper walk for you and a further discovery of all He has provided.

 To you, who haven't made Jesus your Lord, may you reconsider and discover all that being a part of the Family of God has waiting on your acceptance of His free gift of abundant life.]