Simplify the Season: Celebrate the Savior

Thanksgiving is now past tense for 2008, Christmas is near. People are scrambling to shop, craft, and deck the halls. Advertising is at an all time high in order to draw people into the stores ergo boosting sales.

Sometimes you turn on the news and there is such madness going on, some events even tragic. Some become so frantic around the Holidays. Thanksgiving is based around being thankful for what we have which in fact we should have this attitude daily. Christmas is based around giving and Love which is what God showed us when He sent his son to die on the cross so that we could live. The word of God says that He showed his love toward us that while we were yet sinners Christ (His Son Jesus) died for us. It also says God so loved the "world" that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. He sent his Son in the world not to condemn but that the world through "Him (Jesus)" might be saved.

Yes, there is a big question mark as to the actual birth date of our Savior and many will say that the 25th of December is not it. Whatever the date may be I am just thankful that He was indeed made flesh and dwelt among us. Christians know that Christ's existence did not begin the day he was born of the Virgin Mary and we are just glad that a day has been set aside in the world to observe the fact that he did truly come. No matter what pagan practices may have been played out centuries ago surrounding this date Christians do not reflect on these practices, we reflect on Jesus and he is at the heart of our celebration. We joy in the fact that our Savior came into the world in bodily form to save his people. Although Christians decorate their homes for the pure pleasure of the beauty of the season, Jesus is who we worship, not the brightly colored decorations, the tree, nor the Nativity scenes.

If our focus was kept on this fact the Holidays could be carried out smoother with less chaos and confusion. There is nothing wrong with giving in the name of love and in the spirit of the season but we shouldn't become stressed out or consumed with competing to out buy or out give another. When we give in the name of love it is not suppose to be of the demands of another's request necessarily. We give what we can, then it doesn't becomes a burden of meeting a quota or a specific request of another. There is nothing wrong with trying to find out what another likes and acting upon information found to please them even more, if we are in the position to do so but if we are not we can just give what is within our allowance. You don't always have to give a expensive store bought gift to show someone you care, you can give them the gift of more of your time, love, and understanding. Sometimes the simply things mean more than you think. Just reflect on the great gift the Father in Heaven gave us, it wasn't a gift bought in the store, wrapped in pretty paper with a bow on it costing hundreds of dollars.

He gave us a "Love" gift, his Son, which to many is PRICELESS. Let's teach our children and grandchildren the true reflection of the 25th of December, they will grow up to appreciate receiving gifts that much more, whatever the gift may be. They will in turn pass on this legacy to generations to come after them. I know you may think its hard because of what they as kids may see going on around them but its not, this is why the word of God says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it." It begins with us. Simplify the Holiday, celebrate the Savior.

Peace and Joy this Holiday and always,
Sherri