Christmastime evokes thoughts and memories of caroling, laughing with family, and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What precious way to spend the holiday season than to listen to the many carols exalting and extolling our Lord and Savior?
Various songs heralding our Lord's arrival, eggnog, candy canes, various # filling the air...mistletoe, can you feel the warmth in the air?
"Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...Let your heart be light...", that carol conveys a sense of well-being. But that is not what is happening in our society. We should have a happy Christmas, not a stress filled one.
This time of year is truly a time to relax, not fret. A time to calm down and step back from the fray. We should avoid the hassles that come with this life and escape to allow the Lord Jesus Christ to refresh us, and, to put our focus on what really matters.
Everyone does it...we get caught up in the non-essential part of life and forget to focus on the important. I've had to step back and allow myself a break from time to time. Then and only then will we be able to see the big picture and put priorities in place. It isn't everyday run of the mill errands and problems that should grab our attention, but time with family and loved ones.
Material items don't matter
The mad dash to the store to buy up the latest gadgets and technology isn't what Christmas is about. We are missing the point when we do that. The retail stores are taking advantage of this time as people rush to make sure that everyone on their list will be satisfied with material items come December 25th. No, our most precious gift that we can give to one another is ourselves. Our time. Our love.
The human being yearns for connection with loved ones.
As our economy remains uncertain these days (due to foreclosures and job layoffs), and there is mounting pressure on parents to make their kid(s) happy, we drown ourselves in worry and stress. That isn't what the Lord Jesus Christ wishes for mankind.
We celebrate Christmas...a time when God comes in human form and LIBERATES His people from the stress of this world. He wants us to focus on HIM.
In the Lord Jesus Christ, you will find true Joy, you will find true Peace, you will find true Love.
As I've said, I have had to take some time off to put life into perspective. We all have our commitments. But the main commitment we should make is to those who hold a special place in our heart. Jesus should be first...He is our first Love.
Then those who have had a wonderful impact on our lives, those who are close to your heart after the Lord....show those people...let those people know how much you love and appreciate them.
These are people who have made your life worth living.
Can you now see how frivolous and silly it is to run after material items? The fun is not to be had in trying to beat someone to the latest sales during Christmastime. Why risk getting trampled to save a couple of dollars?
The lasting and pleasant memories are those memories that reflect the eternal. And material items are not eternal and they don't last long.
People.
They are eternal beings.
The love of Almighty God is eternal. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue you...
Let's remember that this Christmas.
Felicia Benamon is a conservative columnist who writes from a political perspective, but occasionally deviates to write about other concerns facing her country. She comes from a military background and is currently a freelance reporter residing in Tennessee.
