Thoughts From The Author About Christmas

At this time of year, I focus on and do my best to remember, why I celebrate Christmas.  The media, organized religion and others are all blasting us with what we should and shouldn't believe and say and do.  I am often called Scrooge because I just can't get into the spirit of commercialism---but I celebrate Christmas joyfully because I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior, a Savior of love and forgiveness freely given to me.  

I have used the first person pronoun because I wouldn't want anyone to think that I speak for them, feel for them, or believe for them.   I only speak for myself and I don't ask anyone to speak for me.  This is about my personal relationship with the Baby Jesus.  It is my personal testimony.

Christmas is the time of year when I'm able to give one special gift to myself and others.  It a gift I can't buy in a department store, it's a pledge to "walk the walk" by putting into practice the words which Christ gave to me from Luke 6: 37-38:

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

For certain---I often miss that mark. I find myself condemning others, I want to give but I hold back, I want to forgive but I'm not able.  Its at these times that I feel badly and lonely. That's when I count on that special relationship I have with the Baby Jesus in the manger.  I remember what He did for me.   I am often not the person I want to be, I don't "practice what I preach," but I try to associate Christmas with the verses from Luke and remember my focus.  

I know when I miss the mark, I will not receive judgment, but eternal forgiveness and love.  I try not to tell others what to do, but I fail.  I try not to tell others what to believe but I fail.   And when I fail, I try to remember the words from Luke and govern myself accordingly.  I am happy and fulfilled because I believe in the Baby Jesus and what He did for me.  Now its time to again give that gift to myself and others.

Merry Christmas!