Christmas is one the most important and joyous Christian holidays there is. It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ or Lord and Savior. Christmas is a time to share our blessings with one another, and to be surrounded by the people we love. It is a time for giving, and a time for forgiving. Most importantly, it is a reminder of how much God loves us.

Right around the corner is the most celebrated holiday ever. This year is a bit different for me. This year  I don’t really have the Christmas spirit. I did put up my Christmas three, but no gifts are to be found beneath it. I’m not sure why I am a bit down this year. I’m guessing it is because I’m not feeling good and some days are more of a struggle physically than others. Then all the stuff in the news is making pray for Christ to come right now.

I believe that most areas start celebrating or marketing to those who celebrate Christians all the way back to October. Stores have their isles lined with goodies and Santa is lingering around somewhere.

With working in a retail grocery store, my thoughts about Christmas has changed. Don’t get me wrong, it is my favorite time of the year and Easter is my next favorite. I am consistently reminded how far we have come from the true meaning of Christmas. The very first Christmas involved two parents who would give birth to the most precious child of all in a manger (Luke 2:4-7). Instead of buying all the fancy toys, thinking about those who have nothing. I would think there are opportunities to show those who have nothing the true meaning of Christmas. The most important gift is God’s love (John 13:34), and love others as God first loved you. (1 John 4:19)

A few years past I decided to go try to get good deals on Black Friday. That would never happen again for me. When I see these people that are clawing their way through a limited amount of gifts, it made me sick. As I watched this act of greed, I was reminded how people have forgotten that trampling others to save a buck isn’t worth hurting others. An ambulance was called because people were fighting over “stuff”. When we love each other, we need to look past the “stuff” and do what is morally right. I would prefer to have no gift, then to have someone risk their lives over getting a good deal. I say, just call me up and visit or we can go out to dinner.

There are times that we forget what as we go about our lives, we forget to be thankful and blessed for what he have right now. We humans have the “me” mentality. We are never satisfied. We always more more. We want bigger houses, more money, power, cars and so on. All of these things that we feel we need keeps us away from what we truly need and that is the kind of Love that only can come from Jesus Christ.

Today, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas.. Instead of buying fancy toys, think of how you can give to those who would normally go without. Ask yourself how you can help out others who are not as fortunate as you. Show them the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God’s love (John 13:34), and love others as God first loved you. (1 John 4:19).

This is a good time to dive into the Word of God. It’s an even better time to share the Gospel with others who may be hurting. Christmas can be difficult for many. Suicide rates increase around the holidays. Use this time to reflect on the blessings you have received and not on the ones you don’t have. Christmas time gives us a perfect opportunity to take a deep looking at ourselves. Then ask yourself, “What kind of blessings have I given? ” Then ask yourself “How can if cherish your relationship with God and to cherish my friends and family.”Lastly ask “how you can be a blessing to others?”