Can you believe it? We have certainly entered the official “busy” season of the year! Christmas, or Advent season can really be a burden sometimes, can’t it? Parties to go to, shopping to get done, gifts to wrap, and all that on top of an already hectic schedule can certainly get us boggled down and overwhelmed with all the responsibilities.
Well, may I challenge you to remember what is most important? Remember it is the Christ of Christmas we celebrate, not the material things we gather!
Here is something that might help you keep your thoughts in the right direction this season:
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday.’
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
Not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and
Wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
One thing we should always remember and keep in mind is that God has created each of us as originals. I don’t look like someone else, I don’t talk like someone else and I don’t have someone else’s traits. I have my own. I am gifted and talented in my own special way and so are you.
The Lord has created each of us with our own special gifts, talents and abilities that no one else possesses. We are special and unique in our creation and we should be thankful to the Lord for making us so different from one another. We are created differently because we each have a different purpose. That is why we should live our life to its fullest potential. We shouldn’t worry about what everyone else is doing or what everyone else has. We should run our race with confidence and assurance that our life is significant and can be used to make this world a better and brighter place.
The light that is instilled within our hearts is meant to shine forth to illuminate the paths of others so that they may walk in the light as we walk in the light. Let us use our differing gifts to bring glory and honor to the name of the Lord so that His plans for our life will be brought to fruition.
There is a question that has been troubling me for a long time now: just exactly who are the Jones’ and why am I supposed to be keeping up with them? Every time I turn around I seem to be bombarded with a single message: Buy! Magazines, radio, billboards and television keep telling me that I need a bigger home, a newer car, more electronics and fancier clothes. If I get them my life will be complete and if I don’t then I will fall behind the Jones’ and face utter misery. It is so ridiculous that I just have to laugh.
Now I don’t know who these mythical Jones’ are. I am not sure how expensive their house is or how shiny their newly bought car looks. I am uncertain about how many new electronic goodies they have purchased or what they do. I have no idea either about what designer labels are on their clothes. I do know that I don’t want to keep up with them, however.
Life is more than just things. Life is joy, laughter and love. Life is friends and family. Life is caring and sharing. Life is a gift from God and I am not going to waste it shopping for more wrapping paper.
I think I will try to keep up with the angels rather than the Jones’ then. I may never match the love they share, the good they do, or the truth they spread, but I sure will have the time of my life trying. I may not have as much stuff to carry around, but that will leave my arms free for hugging. My rooms and closets may not be as full, but my heart will be a lot fuller. I may not seem as rich in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of Heaven I will be very wealthy indeed.
Remember you came into this world with nothing and that is how you will leave it too. Why not spend your days here loving others, sharing joy and growing in oneness with God? Why not spend your time here making this world better for us all? You won’t be keeping up with the Jones’ but your soul will be flying with the Angels.
Be encouraged to see your life as greatly significant and have a deep and assured knowing that you and God are a majority. I want you to know that what God has placed within your heart is achievable, attainable and well within your reach. Believe it for yourself and go forward in life making a difference that will never be forgotten or erased.