Christmas Time is Here

I can’t believe Christmas is less than one week away. It will be here before we know it. Children waking up before sunrise and tearing open Christmas presents, parents capturing the joy on their phones and cameras, echoes of “Thank you Santa!” coming from the family room, doorbells ringing with family waiting at the door, the smell of dinner and desserts being prepared. All of this excitement comes and goes too quickly. Let us take a moment to slow down and enjoy each of these moments.

Preparing for and celebrating Christmas can be such a rush. Rushing to get everything done on the checklist and then rushing from one event to the next- all for it to come and go so quickly. I encourage everyone to stop, take a moment to reflect, and then slow down. Slow down to teach your kids the meaning of Christmas, the need for giving and being generous to those less fortunate, the memories of your own childhood, the memories that were passed down to us from our parents and grandparents. Take a moment to go outside and catch snowflakes. Take a drive to admire the local Christmas lights. You can even bring that darn elf on the shelf. Make cookies for your neighbors. Show your kids what gifts and talents you have and how you use them to give joy to others. Make home-made Christmas cards. Volunteer at a local shelter. Make a list of things you’re grateful for this Christmas season. Make a list of people you can pray for or encourage.

We can quickly lose sight of what Christmas really means when we get wrapped up in some of the meaningless content we’re surrounded by. Who got the most expensive gift? Who got everything on their wish list? What can I brag about now? These are the items we need to ditch this season. Let us be grateful for what we have. Thankful for the shelter we have, the health we’re gifted, the breath in our lungs, the family we’re given, the freedom we have. Take a look around and realize that no matter what we’re going through at this moment, it’s a wonderful life. Merry Christmas!