Merry Christmas!

Before long another Christmas season will only exist in our memories. From working to shopping and all the little tasks in between, it has been an extremely busy season. So busy that many people have forgotten what Christmas is all about or even sadder, many do not know the true meaning of Christmas. Last night as my dad and I roamed the mall with all of the other last minute shoppers, I began to realize how caught up our society is with Christmas and yet, all for the wrong reasons. Alongside others, I franticly searched each and every store for one more “perfect” gift. Soon I gave up, realizing that no matter what I picked up and bought, it would not be the “perfect” gift. There is only one “perfect” gift. Christmas isn’t about giving and receiving store-bought gifts. It’s about receiving Christ as your savior and sharing this “perfect” gift with others. Without Christ there is no Christmas and without Christmas there is no purpose for existence. Next year, instead of spending countless hours searching aisle after aisle in stores that are afraid to say, “Merry Christmas”, for fear of offending someone, search your heart for Christ. There you can find the true meaning of Christmas that doesn’t just exist on December 25th. Unlike the excitement of receiving the new gifts that soon fade as the days pass, receiving Christ is an excitement that will never fade. Even in 1965, Charles Schultz was able to see our society’s growing ignorance, regarding Christmas. Using the humble cartoon character of Linus he asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas was all about?” Then he proceeds with the following quote from the Bible.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. LUKE 2:8-14

God bless everyone this Christmas season!

Jason