So how miserable do you have to be to hate Christmas. I have run into several people this year who tell me that they hate Christmas. Seriously what went so horribly wrong in your life that you find fault with a great time of the year? Ok so let’s say you don’t find the birth of Jesus believable. Let’s say you have no faith in the Greatest Story Ever Told. Fine what is it about Christmas that you don’t like?
Is it the shopping, the commercial way in which a holy day has been wrecked, the caroling? What is it? I just don’t get it. Search this list and see if you can find one thing that appeals to you.
Some of the greatest music ever performed; Giving Gifts/Receiving gifts
Shopping with friends; decorating the house with lights
Snow and sleds; little kids up at 0500 in the morning
Ham and Turkey, Any excuse to cook all Thanksgiving food over again
Salvation Army Kettles and bell ringers
Lights throughout the city; the birth of Jesus
Enjoying fellowship in church with friends
Wrapping paper; Christmas parties
Christmas Cards; Really good Santa’s
Christmas Movies (All Scrooge Movies)
The one time of year people try to be civil and nice.
Saying Merry Christmas; Mistletoe
Sugar Plums (Never had one); Christmas tree’s
Pie; Baked Goodies; Hot Chocolate; Cider
Snow Men; Christmas Candy; Egg Nog
Time off Work; Playing with Grandkids
Santa’s Helpers; Candy Canes, Ornaments
This list is not all inclusive. There is an infinite amount of things good about this time of year. The list goes on and on. So do any of the things listed above move you? If everything that I thought of causes you grief, then you’re worse than Ebenezer Scrooge. I feel sorry for you. Even the Grinch got it eventually. Now if for religious reasons you don’t celebrate Christmas that’s fine (I guess). I also feel for people who through no fault of their own, get no pleasure from a time the whole world celebrates.
If you are in dire straights and your unable to celebrate with your family the way you would like due to monetary constraints, well that just sucks. That’s when you need to look back and see the simplistic ways that people throughout history have successfully celebrated without all the bells and whistles. I recognize that is difficult when your kid wants a 400$ IPOD Touch and you can’t do it.
My wish is not for peace in the Middle East and a Start Treaty resolution. I just want Congress to stop spending and taxing long enough for people who work for a living to reap what they sow and allow them to use their earnings to buy some Christmas gifts for their kids.
Have a Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate.
A friend gave me this…..
“If you look for Me at Christmas, you won’t need a special star
I’m no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me amid the celebrations -
You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations.
But if you take a moment from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you’ll find I’m wating there for you.
You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came,
And you’ll find Me in the stillness as I’m whispering your name.”
Love Jesus