Christmas
Christmas is four days away...
Surprisingly, I have not been as crazy excited about Christmas like I have always been in the past.
I mean, I used to start listening to Christmas music in like October.
For some reason, this Christmas season I have not had that same enthusiasm...and to be honest, I am very thankful.
I suppose that I have finally realized how commercialized Christmas really is. I've realized that the things I got excited about during Christmastime were the decorations, lights, songs, presents, family, food, trees, traditions etc. etc. ...all to finally realize that Christmas truly has nothing to do with any of that. We have made it to be that way...and amongst all of that, Jesus Christ gets buried way down at the bottom.
I mean, yeah we might have a moment on Christmas day where we read the birth of Christ. When the family and friends are all gathered together for Christmas lunch/dinner a brief line might be said to the effect of "well, while the presents and family are wonderful, let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas, and that is the birth of Christ, etc."...then you pray and go about your festivities not even thinking twice about that statement.
I don't mean to poo poo the joys and fun of this season, because yes it is all so wonderful, and I really do love and enjoy it...but at the same time I don't want to miss The Point...something I feel missed for too many years.
My prayer is that in these last few days before Christmas, the undeserved, beautiful gift of Immanuel is constantly at the forefront of my heart and mind...
Surprisingly, I have not been as crazy excited about Christmas like I have always been in the past.
I mean, I used to start listening to Christmas music in like October.
For some reason, this Christmas season I have not had that same enthusiasm...and to be honest, I am very thankful.
I suppose that I have finally realized how commercialized Christmas really is. I've realized that the things I got excited about during Christmastime were the decorations, lights, songs, presents, family, food, trees, traditions etc. etc. ...all to finally realize that Christmas truly has nothing to do with any of that. We have made it to be that way...and amongst all of that, Jesus Christ gets buried way down at the bottom.
I mean, yeah we might have a moment on Christmas day where we read the birth of Christ. When the family and friends are all gathered together for Christmas lunch/dinner a brief line might be said to the effect of "well, while the presents and family are wonderful, let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas, and that is the birth of Christ, etc."...then you pray and go about your festivities not even thinking twice about that statement.
I don't mean to poo poo the joys and fun of this season, because yes it is all so wonderful, and I really do love and enjoy it...but at the same time I don't want to miss The Point...something I feel missed for too many years.
My prayer is that in these last few days before Christmas, the undeserved, beautiful gift of Immanuel is constantly at the forefront of my heart and mind...