Have Yourself a Merry, Merry Christmas
Here's To Seeing You Next Christmas!
Jingle bells are ringing, Santa's packing up the sleigh and the Christmas trees are being buried under by piles of presents as we speak. Tomorrow is Christmas! Before we say goodbye for the year, here are a few last-minute Christmas thoughts we'd like to leave you with.
Don't Forget The Reason For The Season
As easy as it is to say, it's not as easy to put into practice. As I'm writing this my mother-in-law called me in tears that she needs to do last-minute grocery shopping for tomorrow and some evil monsters have re-arranged the entire grocery store. They're closing early and she can't find what she needs.
My friends, do you really think that's what Christmas is about? The first Christmas was celebrated in a manger. There wasn't a big smoked turkey or six-dozen petit fours. There were sheep, but they weren't for dinner. And little pastries? They wouldn't have known what to do with them.
If you had to spend Christmas without food or water and no indoor heat or plumbing in a drafty barn, you should do so with glee. Family and friends, goodwill towards men and the reason for our salvation -- THAT is what Christmas is about.
Not Just Once A Year
If you have managed to keep the spirit of Christmas in check this season, that's wonderful! Let's make sure we carry it through with us the rest of the year.
Did you find yourself being more charitable? Kinder to those on the street? Try doing it year round. Compassion and charity shouldn't be a once-a-year tradition. It should be a part of everyday life.
To Seeing You in 2008!
So friends, this is goodbye for 2007. Sure, it's goodbye to holiday stress, endless shopping and piles of presents. But it doesn't have to be goodbye to goodwill, kindness, generosity and a blessed spirit. Remember this as we move forward to the New Year. And here's to seeing you for Christmas of 2008!