As I wandered through WalMart tonight picking up dinner and some last minute goodies for the kids I listened to all the conversations around me. Almost all of them started or ended with "I'll just be glad when this is over." It's a busy time, everyone running around, spending money that they don't have on things most of us don't really need. It's a rush to get our fancy new picture Christmas cards in the mail, running from party to party...you know the drill. But suddenly I was just sad. Sad that Christmas doesn't feel like a joyous celebration for many of us. Sad that in the hustle and bustle of the season, we seem to have truly forgotten the reason. I had to ask myself, did Jesus ever say - "I'll just be so glad when this is over"? Was he worn out with the weight of eternity on his shoulders? I mean, certainly, no one could blame him! Jesus did get tired at times, the scriptures tell us this. The burdens were huge and the stakes immeasurable. But He didn't wander the marketplace and complain to his disciples that he just wanted to hurry and be done with it all. Instead, he would slip off, alone, to pray. In those times, alone with His Father, Jesus would find strength and restoration. For that, I am thankful. And in that, I find peace.
This is a tired and weary world we live in. But in the same manner that Jesus went to the Father, we can too. He will give us strength, peace and restore our souls. He will remind us of what Christmas is meant to be. Not a time to just hurry through - but a time to reflect on the incredible love our Father has for us. Time to celebrate the birth of our Savior! Sure, the gifts and cards are fun. But I don't need a single thing - I have been blessed far more than I ever deserve. I want this Christmas, EVERY Christmas, to be about celebrating and loving Him. I hope you will join me in this celebration and that together, we will know the love of Christ, who came so that we might live. I believe that is something worth celebrating!
Happy Birthday Jesus - and a very Merry Christmas to all of you.
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