Christmas Primer

When retailers began putting up Christmas trees in October, the holidays seemed so far away. All the warm weather we've had on the east coast hasn't helped either --except, er, that one Artic storm at the end of last month. Snow and ice. Now that was a shocker! But here we are. Thanksgiving has come and gone and we find ourselves at the start of the Christmas season. I sense that some of us may be worrried that all the talk about sales and gift-giving will get in the way of the true meaning of this time of year. Well, I've got the easy answer to making it purposeful (no matter how many doorbusters they throw our way).

Just keep giving thanks! That's right. Don't let up. Instead, allow that feeling of gratefulness to gain momentum because the holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect. Think about the many blessings God bestowed on you and yours this past year alone. Food, clothes, health, shelter, family and friends. What, didn't you have all those things? How about some of them? One of them? I challenge you to start your celebration with a notion of already being blessed and creating that holiday joy inside your own heart. When you do that Christmas and New Year's won't just be about spending. They won't even be about receiving gifts or making resolutions. As you begin to reflect on God the season will come alive with love and true thanks. Thanks to the Father for the gift of his son, Jesus Christ.

Here's to the most wonderful time of the year!

Polly