The Real Reason For The Season

This is the time of the year when the holidays bring families and friends together with the warmth of love and the spirit of giving. It is also the most stressful time of the year. Both mentally and physically. People fight and argue with each other over the most simplest things that on any other time of the year, would not seem so significant. Its the stress of making this Christmas better than the last, and it happens every year. Ever since President Trump said that it would be ok to say "Merry Christmas" again, I have been thinking about just what that means. We can all put the holidays into perspective and realize the true meaning of Christmas, but actually applying it to our daily lives would really make things a lot less stressful and a lot more joyful. Depression is also at an all time during this time, and sadly, suicide rates tend to be higher as well. We as humble human beings need to realize the reason for the season. Christmas is celebrated by billions of people around the world each with their own traditional flare. Some go over the top with lights, while others with a modest nativity scene. In my opinion, there is no such thing as having too much Christmas spirit. In fact, it's time we brought more of it back. The Spirit of Christmas should shine through us every day and not just on the 25th. I believe that if there was a lot more giving and a lot less taking the world would most certainly be a better place indeed. That spirit of giving, that selflessness, that good will toward men is all but a memory for me now. And sometimes I wonder if it will ever come back. I can remember growing up at Christmas time and watching my parents hustle and bustle over what to get everyone. But there was also a feeling of happiness and joy through out our community that you just didn't see every day. I remember the whole town just being lit up, and for one solemn moment, people just being nice to each other. It's kind of sad that it takes a holiday to make that happen, but it's not just that. I believe that it was everyone realizing what the true meaning of Christmas really was. Sure we had the decorations and the commercial effect, but through all that there was a real sense of peace towards one another. Christmas truly was a happy time for me back then, and it still is today. It just seems that the older I get the more different the holiday becomes. Maybe I'm just slowly loosing sight of the bigger picture. I guess the point that I'm trying to make here is that we don't need someone to tell us that it's ok to say Merry Christmas again. We don't need permission and we certainly don't anyone telling us how to celebrate either. But it is necessary and very important to know the real reason why we do. we should never lose sight of that, ever. I would like to conclude with this simple little passage just to keep it real (Luke 2:7-2:14) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Merry Christmas everyone!