Christmas Time

Perhaps I am a Scrooge.  It is a little difficult to admit, but there is a part of me that leans toward the “Bah! Humbug!” side of Christmas.  Maybe it’s because I am too selfish.  Not with money.  With time.

Christmas always comes with so many demands on my time.  The to-do list is a mile long.  Get the Christmas decorations out of storage, put lights on the house, buy a tree, decorate a tree, wait in traffic, wander through countless store isles looking for gifts to give, stand in line, Christmas musicals, services, parties . . . the list goes on and on.

Christmas demands too much of me.  Although when I think about the real meaning of Christmas, I realize it might be quite appropriate that Christmas demand much of me.  If I were to give to others all my time every December for the rest of my life, it would still only be a small sample of what God gave to us on the first Christmas.  So what if for a few weeks at Christmas I have to give a little more of my self than usual?  Maybe that’s just a little reminder that on the first Christmas, God gave all of Himself – Jesus Christ, “God With Us” – for all eternity.

“BEHOLD , THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON , AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL ,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US .”
   – Matthew 1:23 NASB