Every year when December rolls around, we approach it with both excitement and a sense of unexplained hesitancy about what the season will bring for us.
I remember how I survived December when I was growing up; It used to be simple: I always threw hints about what I wanted from Santa, and then I tried to do everything right so that maybe, just maybe, my wishes would come true because I had been extra good.
As children, we were willing to play along with the whole gift-giving scenario, long after we became more mature on those matters. This included the white tube socks filled with oranges, apples, nuts, hard candies that stuck together, and sometimes chocolate. This all happened at sometimes 2:30-3:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, because Daddy couldn’t wait any longer. He was more excited about it than we were, I think.
Through our eyes we saw that we were rich, and you can’t put a price tag on the love that was poured over each and every gift wrapped under the tree. Every penny spent on gifts was a sacrifice, so we didn’t expect extravagance, because we already had the most treasured gifts in our family; it was unconditional love. Yes, we did have our challenges; but with the love we had every day for each other, we could overcome the hard times.
It was tradition after all.
Move forward to this year. December has arrived, and with it all of the preparations, and decorations, and fellowships, and shopping, and in all of the busyness, it is important for us to remember, that whether we’re ready, or not ready, every day pulls us closer to the end of another year. The time is short to be effective for 2014.
Why is it that the most difficult day of the year for many people is the day after Christmas? I made up my mind to not allow myself to lose my focus. My plan for this year is to keep centered on the wonder of Christmas; Jesus Christ. If I will stay centered on him, then, this Christmas can bring a sense of fulfillment even when I do feel caught up in the celebration of his birth.
People do feel a let down after Christmas, because no matter how many material things you acquire, they can’t fill the void in your life, the way that knowing Jesus can.
If you want to survive December, and all of its trappings, don’t forget to spend time reflecting on Jesus Christ and his love for us. He is the Real Wonder of Christmas.
In the Time of the Lattereign 