Christmas

So I know what you're probably thinking... another blog about the commercialized celebration of wealth, right? Wrong. I don't want to rant about how ridiculous it is that we as Americans spend so much money each year because we feel that we have something to prove to our friends and families. I want to talk instead about what Christmas could mean...and what it does mean to some.

Every year it comes down to the wire, December 1st hits and everyone comes together in a mad scramble for that perfect gift. This creates traffic, accidents, dangerous road rage and stressed out mothers! I'll be honest and say that growing up Christmas never really meant that much to me. My parents divorced when I was 10 and every Christmas after that has been spent in a mad dash to get somewhere else...never really having the chance to enjoy the present moment. This resulted in me getting so stressed out trying to make sure everyone stayed happy that I didn't really have time to think about the "reason for the season". Well, this year after much thought and realizing some things that God has laid on my heart... I want to challenge you (if anyone is even reading this!).

I want to challenge you to take time in the present. Don't get so caught up in what happens next that you don't pay attention to what is happening now.

I challenge you to consider others in your community. It is okay to give up some of your presents so that people in true need can have some sort of hope on Christmas morning. It is not about the gift, but about what the gift represents.

I challenge you to take time to consider the children around the world that will have no food on their tables come Christmas Day. There are so many hungry children in this world. Hundreds of thousands of children go to bed and wake up hungry. What can you do to make an impact on the lives of these children?

I challenge you to consider what you are really celebrating. Is it time with friends and family? Is is the good food you eat? Is it the end of another year and another dollar earned? What about celebrating the birth of our savior? The savior that came and walked the Earth to later die taking on the sins of the world. The most miraculous of stories that we could ever pass down to the coming generations.

I do not say all of this to speak at you and take no responsibility for my own actions and thoughts. I am so guilty of treating Christmas as just another day...not taking time to fully grasp what the day should really mean to me.

Enjoy time with your family, eat lots of good food...but please do not forget to take time and think about the true "Reason for the Season"