It is here again! Can you believe it? It seems like it starts sooner every year. I know that I saw things being put up in some stores in mid October. Most every other store opened up their stash the week after Halloween; at least they waited until November. This week, as I made the turn into my home, I saw them, can they be here already? Can it be that time of year? It is still in the 90’s outside, can it be here already? Last night, as I drove home, my worst fears were confirmed. Christmas lights were indeed going up at the entrance to Rancho El Dorado. It is November 12th, I am still wearing shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops, and there are Christmas lights already up! My daughter informed me that one of her friends already has their tree up. It has started, and it is starting earlier, and earlier, and earlier. It is that time of year, when the world we live in, convinces us that we need to begin the preparations for the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas.
I want you to know, that I am not against the whole Christmas thing. I love to decorate my house, and put up a tree. I love the fact that I get invited to parties, and throw my own parties, and everyone seems to be in a better mood. I love the fact, that I can say Merry Christmas to the checker at the Grocery, or the Bank Teller and they always give me a smile, even if they are not allowed to reply with the same greeting. Christmas is definitely a time of preparation, a time of celebration, a time to give, and a time for peace on Earth, good will to men. It seems that Christmas has somehow gotten out of hand. What started out as a way for the Christian faith to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, has turned into one gigantic, stress induced, spending spree! Christmas has become a poorly organized, American made holiday, designed for us to spend money we don’t have, on people we don’t like, and basically look forward to New Years eve when we can move on to the new year.
Is this what we really want out of Christmas? Is this what Jesus had in mind by coming to earth on the first Christmas? What if Christmas became a world-changing event again? What if Christmas once again was a time when hope was distributed to the hopeless? What if peace on earth, good will to men, actually meant what it said? What if the conspiracy known as Christ, came alive every Christmas season?
What would happen, if rather than hurrying from one place to the next, buying gifts or attending parties, we spent more time with the ones we loved? What if we actually took some time this Christmas season to rest, to breathe, to pause? Do you think our lives would get better or worse? What would happen if we made space to prepare for the real reason for the season?
What would happen, if rather than spending more this year, you spent less? What if you made gifts with the time you have? What if you chose to spend time with those you love this year rather than buying that gift that won’t ever be used. Most people would rather have the gift of presence, rather than presents. You may not realize, that the reason we celebrate Christmas, is because the Creator of the Universe decided to spend time with us, and came as a baby born in Bethlehem.
What would happen, if this year, you decided to give more? Not more gifts to your family, or your friends, but give more to those that have little or nothing? Do you know that Project Angel tree, with the help of churches around the US will give gifts to over 500,000 children whose parents are incarcerated? Others, like Samaritans purse, will donate thousands of shoe boxes filled with small gifts and life giving supplies to children around the world. Right here in Maricopa, many are giving to our local food bank, F.O.R. Maricopa, and to local Angel Tree projects and the Salvation Army. I will be traveling with my friends at Weekend Missions.com to Rocky Point in early December with truck loads of gifts and supplies for the needy in Mexico. If you have never had the chance to give to those with less, you have never truly experienced the meaning of Christmas. It is truly better to give than receive.
What would happen, if this year, you decided to really try and love all? Not only those who are close to us, our friends and family, but those that are really in need. Those who otherwise will go hungry, or thirsty, or cold this Christmas season. What if, Christmas once again became a world-changing event? What if, Christmas once again, was a time when hope was distributed to the hopeless? What if, peace on earth, good will to men, actually meant what it said? What if, the conspiracy known as Christ, came alive every Christmas season?