It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

As Christmas approached Dad would put on the Chipmunks Christmas album with Alvin and Theodore. Remember the words, "All right you chipmunks, ready to sing your song? I'll say we are, yeah, let's sing it now. Okay, Simon? Okay. Okay, Theodore? Okay. Okay, Alvin? Alvin? Alvin? Okay. Christmas, Christmas time is near. Time for toys and time for cheer. We've been good but we can't last. Merry Christmas, hurry fast. Want a plane that loops the loop. Me, I want a hula hoop. We can hardly stand the wait. Please Christmas, don't be late." I would sit in front of our Christmas tree with the silver icicle tinsel and just think about opening presents and think about what Santa would bring.

I could hardly sleep within weeks of Christmas! I guess when I was little all I could think about was fulfillment. I would look through catalogs and commercials and decide what I wanted and write a letter telling Santa. Then Santa would bring it! Some of my favorite things were my purple corduroy skooter skirt and white patent leather gogo boots! And the outfit was completed with a crocheted poncho! I also got a mood ring! I was styling!

As adults we usually gripe our way through the season being too busy buying gifts that put us in a financial bind. We don't have time to decorate a tree. At the same time we are grumbling about all we "have" to do we are wondering why people have taken Christ out of Christmas. We say people have forgotten the reason for the season!

For years I have had a deadline by the day before Thanksgiving I have the tree up and presents bought and wrapped. Some people think that is obnoxious but here is my reasoning. Once Thanksgiving day gets here I enjoy the holidays. I refuse to stress out over Christmas. (I may stress out the week prior to Thanksgiving!)

I still love Christmas and get excited to sit by the lit tree. I still cannot sleep Christmas Eve night! What has changed since I was a kid? Getting those things on the list made life wonderful when I was a kid. As adults we would be like to ask for health, salvation for family and friends, credit cards paid off, a dependable car, a loved one to give up an addiction, a healed relationship, world peace, etc.

While we may not wake up to perfect health, saved family members, no debt, new car, healed loved ones, healed relationships and world peace we do wake up to hope! Let us remember this Christmas season Isaiah 9: 6. "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus is our counselor, our healer, and our Savior! He is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for you and I. There is no one like Him!

Matthew 1: 21, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." We should be excited over this verse! Jesus died on the cross for you and for me! He came here to save all of us from our sin so that we may have new life for all eternity with Him. This is the Christmas miracle. We have a lot to get excited about!

"Christmas, Christmas time is near!" Remember, wise men still seek Him!