Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years Eve. New Years Day. Birthdays. Concerts. Holiday gatherings. These are just some of the dozens of activities that occur between Thanksgiving and New Years. The great Andy Williams called it “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and he’s right, it is! But it’s also the busiest time of the year; especially for moms and dads.
Christmas is about love: love for our families, love for our friends and neighbors, and the love God has for all His children. We express that love through fellowship with one another, and through the giving of gifts. Fellowship comes in many forms—Christmas musical productions by the symphony, high schools and grade schools, and secular organizations, Christmas- themed plays, and concerts, and office parties, or just a gathering of friends. These are fun and entertaining, but they fill our schedules quickly.
Gift-giving, a major part of the Christmas season, celebrates the gift of salvation that God has given us through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus. Jesus was born to provide us the example to live by, and died for us that we would be saved from our sins. Every year it seems the true meaning of Christmas is emphasized less and less, and the things that occupy much of our time are not where our focus should be.
There are so many activities in December, they push aside the meaningful things of the season. Shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, Christmas cards, decorating the house and the office, and many social events occupy so much of our time that we’re exhausted by the time the important things occur. We must pace ourselves. We must occasionally say “no.” We really want to see “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the local playhouse, but it would be the fifth time you’ve seen Clarence earn his wings. Is it OK to miss it this year? And you love “The Nutcracker,” but it’s the night after your kids’ school program. Should you go to both? Tchaikovsky won’t mind if you miss it! Your kids on the other hand….
The message here is to prioritize the important things. You don’t have to do everything, but you do need to focus on the things that strengthen the bond of love you share with your family and with God. And remember what Christmas and the whole holiday season are about.
AMEN !!