It is true, I love Christmas and I think the older I get, the more I love it. This year, it is especially precious, as all of our children and grandchildren will be with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. (Last year they were with their in-laws; this year they are all ours.) But being with family is not all that I love about Christmas. I love that many radio stations, for at least one month of the year, play music that is positive and upbeat, and some even spiritual, instead of the usual offerings. I love that there are lights everywhere. I love Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks (I know they arrive at Thanksgiving and then stay right through, but I only drink them at Christmas time). I love the parties. I love the festivities, and I love the food. I love giving gifts, and I love watching people open them (especially when it is something they really wanted or needed). I love the weather; especially gentle snow and not the bone chilling cold of January. I love the smiles on faces, tacky sweaters and the break from the routine. I even love the fact that television is overrun with sappy but positive movies, that the whole family can watch for a change.

Yep I love Christmas. But the best thing about Christmas, is that it is so easy to talk to people about your faith at this time of year. When you see individuals stressed out, or struggling to receive from the season the joy that we all sing about, you have a great opportunity to explain why Christmas has placed a smile on your face. You have an occasion before you, to share the real reason for the celebration in your step, to a world that is captive to its joy. Yes, the world has obscured the real message of Christmas. Yes, mass marketing and commercialism have confused the meaning of the gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh, made to baby Jesus by the wise men. Yes, Santa is a poor substitute for our heavenly Father. All true. But it is also true that Christmas is still considered the season of “joy,” and the message on the lips of men and women everywhere still seems to be, “Peace on earth and good will to all men.” Yes, despite all the obfuscation created by commercialism, the real meaning of Christmas is still there, and you and I, who know what it is, have the grand privilege to share that “Good News” with everyone we meet. And that is why, “I love Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone!

It is true, I love Christmas and I think the older I get, the more I love it. This year, it is especially precious, as all of our children and grandchildren will be with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. (Last year they were with their in-laws; this year they are all ours.) But being with family is not all that I love about Christmas. I love that many radio stations, for at least one month of the year, play music that is positive and upbeat, and some even spiritual, instead of the usual offerings. I love that there are lights everywhere. I love Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks (I know they arrive at Thanksgiving and then stay right through, but I only drink them at Christmas time). I love the parties. I love the festivities, and I love the food. I love giving gifts, and I love watching people open them (especially when it is something they really wanted or needed). I love the weather; especially gentle snow and not the bone chilling cold of January. I love the smiles on faces, tacky sweaters and the break from the routine. I even love the fact that television is overrun with sappy but positive movies, that the whole family can watch for a change.

Yep I love Christmas. But the best thing about Christmas, is that it is so easy to talk to people about your faith at this time of year. When you see individuals stressed out, or struggling to receive from the season the joy that we all sing about, you have a great opportunity to explain why Christmas has placed a smile on your face. You have an occasion before you, to share the real reason for the celebration in your step, to a world that is captive to its joy. Yes, the world has obscured the real message of Christmas. Yes, mass marketing and commercialism have confused the meaning of the gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh, made to baby Jesus by the wise men. Yes, Santa is a poor substitute for our heavenly Father. All true. But it is also true that Christmas is still considered the season of “joy,” and the message on the lips of men and women everywhere still seems to be, “Peace on earth and good will to all men.” Yes, despite all the obfuscation created by commercialism, the real meaning of Christmas is still there, and you and I, who know what it is, have the grand privilege to share that “Good News” with everyone we meet. And that is why, “I love Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone!