I love this time of the year. There are so many wonderful traditions and so much anticipation. Our society so often has us in high gear the minute the Autumn holidays are winding down and if we don't have Christmas in order by Thanksgiving...alas, what could be wrong with me!
Forget the rush and the hurry. Forget all the worry about shopping. Forget all the concerns about spending too much. Don't rush. Don't hurry. And really, do we need to do all the shopping and spending that we think must do, come December. I think not.
I know - that's a bit idealistic but as I sat amidst boxes of Christmas decorations , gifts to be wrapped and cards needing special notes, I decided that I really don't have to have it all just right. I want to keep in my heart the message our little grandson has when it comes to Christmas. He totally soaks up each day and multiple times throughout each day, he puts his shoulders back, his little tummy sticks out and he says with amazement, "WOW!" Even through the most difficult of times, we must try to remember God's love, put our shoulders back and confidently say, "WOW!"
Blessings...that's what is all about. The blessing of a God who loves us. The blessing of a Christ Child who warmed our hearts as a baby and continues to love us, giving the ultimate of all gifts. We will once again set up the stable that my father built and fill it with the characters that tell this very old story. Don't you wonder what kind of memories Mary had after that kind of an experience. I wonder if she said to her family..."Do you remember when...?"
The blessings are more important than all the shopping we do. Being still and remembering a very young mother giving birth to a child who would live a life that continues to fill our hearts. As our pastor said this morning, "Is there reason to hope in a world such as the one in which we live?" and he continued to remind us of all the overwhelming concerns we all experience. And then he added..."You bet there is HOPE!"
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...I had been writing my blog prior to the tragedy we all have experienced. I keep a journal and the evening after the loss of those wonderful little children, I had a bit of a conversation with God. Is there something we are doing wrong? I even had the audacity to suggest that maybe there is something God has turned around. It's been difficult to understand and it has settled heavy on the hearts of people everywhere.
Even for one day...however that day might be for you...even for just one day we can be reminded again that Christmas is about HOPE. Whatever our situation, our health, our financial concerns, our needs or our fears...there is HOPE. And remember that we are the hands and feet of this Christ Child. We are the ones who can reach out to others to help meet their need - even if it is just a little bit we give or do.
So...Blessings to you at Christmas. This wasn't meant to be a sermon but I was just sitting back, doing some thinking and remembering through all the Try to not hurry so much. Save some time to just sit and be still...remembering...and knowing that there is HOPE - wherever life finds you at the moment.
Blessings to you during this very special season...
Corrine
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