It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone! It is nearly that time of year when many like to spread that Christmas Cheer! So grab a cookie and snuggle up with your favorite blanket, and let's talk about what Christmas is really about.

Christmas is one of my favorite days of the year. Here, at least in the northern hemisphere, the cold is bold, and the light of the sun makes the white of the snow so bright. The getting together of people, the gifts, the food, the smells, and the sweet songs about Christ's birth are things I hold dear.

Over two thousand years ago, in the town of Bethlehem, a baby boy was born of a virgin, and the name given was that of Jesus. He was and is the greatest gift ever given to mankind. For though he was born to lowly parents, in a stable, because there was no room for them in an inn, He was a gift from God, and given to us so that we could be set free from the chains of sin that entangle all of us. In the song "O Holy Night" we can see this beautiful illustration of God's love in the lines below. Truly He taught us to love one another　

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

So, let us remember the reason for the season. Yes, the getting together of people, the gifts, the food, the smells are all quite lovely, but there is much more. In the book of Acts chapter 20:35 it reads.

Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Let's be thankful for what has been given to us and let's work to give those who are less fortunate the gift that really matters. The gift of life. Christ is the reason for the season.