Christmas and the world

First let me say that I hope everyone who reads this and those who don't all have had a wonderful Christmas. I know for some of you in the retail world it has meant that your Christmas preparations began around the close of business on October 31. I know for those of you who are in the musical regions of our society it likely begun even earlier like near the end of July or August. I know that I for one have missed Thanksgiving in the stores. So why I did I title this blog Christmas and the world? That is a good question I am trying to answer in my head. Oh, I know why now. I miss the simple Christmas of long ago. Let me explain by asking you to go to your Wal-Mart and walk through the grocery section and while there do not forget to rummage through the aisle reserved for Valentines. That's right the Christmas holidays are over and we must now all begin planning on ensuring that we purchase something magnificent and sweet to show that special someone we love them. (Sounds like a commercial—well kinda like a commercial). It is sad that we are driven from one major shopping event to another in our debt laden society that could never show love prior to the creation of Wal-Mart and credit cards. I mean what where those Pilgrim's and Indians so thankful for anyway none of them took a massive haul of gifts. Why where those angels rejoicing (let us pretend that this was the time of Christ's birth)? How could Mary and Joseph be happy? Did he stop off and get her a tempurpedic foam cover for the dirt and straw floor she gave birth on? No, all these were happy to be alive and to see others alive and well. The pilgrim's had survived and learned how to survive thanks to their friend's the Indians, the angels were elated to announce to shepherds the birth of their God and our Saving God, and Mary and Joseph were happy she made it to a place she could be protected while giving birth to the greatest gift man has ever received. Notice there was no decorations to be overdone, no performances to stress over, no debt to be accumulated in order to show love, there were only people. I miss simple Christmas and I have for some time. To long I have been a grump over this perversion we call Christmas but no more will I let the world dictate my Christmas season. I am going to return to my childhood each year and live a truth I believed was a lie for many years.

I remember before my parents divorced how wonderful Christmas was and what it should be like. Perhaps I was too young and naïve to know better but that is where I want to return each year. We took the time to set out the goofy little paper turkey I made at school and all the other fall styled items in celebration of Thanksgiving. The dinner was simple and my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother came each year, we ate turkey, listened to stories of our parent's misadventures, and no one spoke of the lack of money, stress of work, or anything other than family memories (sometimes they would lead to an argument) and who would win the games. Then the next day Christmas began. It was a simple tree and would be completed by the time dad got home from work. Then on Christmas Eve, the family would come together again and celebrate. Everyone would open their two or three gifts and enjoy each other. I always looked forward to this time because it meant a new pair of jeans (that I most likely needed due to growth or abusive wear) and new boots from my grandparents in California, and one really something special from mom and dad. I remember how pleased mom and dad acted over the simplest trinkets that we kids could afford from washing cars or mowing lawns (once we got old enough to buy gifts). Those were the best not because we got really cool or expensive gifts it was great because for a couple of days a year we were just happy to be a family together.

This year maybe you did not get what you really wanted or you felt ripped off by someone. Stop and remember how excited you were as a kid not because of gifts but because someone was coming over that you loved and wanted to see. Stop and remember Christmas is not about gifts it is about the greatest love man has ever known—the sacrifice of Christ. He came to teach us, guide us, and to save us for the Father's glory. True love is to love as He loved, giving all of yourself to someone else. We love because He first loved us and gave Himself for us.

Let me close by saying to all those who read this blog and to all those who do not. I pray that you experience God in a new and refreshing way this coming year and that it is one filled with joy.