The Christmas Season

I don't like the Christmas season.  

Hear me clearly:  I don't like the Christmas season.  I love celebrating the birth of Christ.  

I think that at this time of year it's easy to get swept away in chaos and frenzy of other people's ideas about what Christmas should be.  Retailers entice us with glittering lights and deals "that can't be beat".  There are parties to attend, some of which are attended merely out of obligation.  There is a lack of time:  we get to sleep later and rise earlier.  We squeeze things in where there is really not time to do them. 

To me, this is what has become the American Christmas season.  I don't think this is what God intended. 

God announced the birth of Christ to shepherds, in the dead of night, with the presence of angels.  The announcement was grand but it was not harried.  Check it out for yourself in Luke 2:8-15 The announcement of the birth of Christ ends with the angels saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (v.15)


This season let's remember the true reason for Christmas.  Amidst the bags, bows, bells, and whistles, there is a baby who was born in a stable and placed in a manger, the Savior of the world.  He became a man and died a horrible death on the cross for me and for you to save us from our sin.  He overcame death so that we can live with Him forever. 

That is the greatest gift of all.