November 29
“Seeking and Celebrating the Real Meaning of Christmas”, by Teresa Hewitt
It was mid October. Entering the grocery store, in search of Trunk or Treat items for the church, I was startled by several large displays near the checkouts and exits. There, nestled in between the bins of fresh Halloween treats, were stacks of boxed Christmas chocolates and stocking stuffers. The Christmas season had begun and October wasn't even over!
Sometimes it seems that the gap between Christmas and the rest of the year is getting shorter. This eagerness to get a jump on holiday cheer is purely practical from a retailer’s point of view. Stores typically make more than half of their yearly sales during these few short weeks. Shopping has become a pretty substantial part of the North American Christmas tradition.
Yet Christmas is and should be so much more than what we buy. Gifts are fun, both to give and receive, but they are only symbolic of a much greater gift:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The love of God came down to earth - now that is something to celebrate!
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the busyness of Christmas. That doesn’t mean we have to lose track of the significance of this time of year, or miss out on the opportunities it can present.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember "the reason for the season", and to celebrate with every opportunity we are given. Amen.
