I love Christmas. No, that's an understatement. I FREAKING LOVE CHRISTMAS. If you're anything like me, you love everything there has to do with Christmas. and you look forward to this time all year. This season not only brings peppermint-flavored coffee, hot chocolate in front of the fireplace, Justin Bieber's Christmas album, watching "Elf" on constant replay, and cinnamon-scented candles, but also, and most importantly, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Over 2,000 years ago, the Virgin Mary and Joseph were preparing for the birth of a baby that was supposedly the Son of God. Little did Mary know that the birth of her son would change the world forever. This birth would attract kings that would bring Him gifts, and shepherds that would kneel before Him, as He lay in a manger. The birth of the King would cause people to be willing to die for their faith and die for the ones that they love. He would be the One to die on a cross to save the world from its sin and to give eternal life. Christmastime is a time of preparation for the birth of our Savior, a time of celebration, family, and friendship, a time of love and happiness. If this is all true, then why in our world does Christmastime simply mean shopping and presents?
In today's age, the true meaning of Christmas has been lost in the overcrowded shopping malls and Christmas tree yards. Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of the One who saved us all, and it's a time to give to those who are less fortunate. Christmas is about family and friendship, not sales and new toys. This year during the holiday season, I challenge everyone to give to at least one other person or family. Make a donation, bring someone a meal, visit the elderly in a nursing home, simply smile at someone when you walk past, because the smallest action could make someone's day or change their life forever. So why wouldn't you want to make that kind of impact?
So while you're shoving your way through Bath & Body Works to grab that last holiday-scented candle, or racing through Best Buy to snag the last iPad, please remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Remember that there are people that won't be able to afford Christmas this year. Remember the face of Jesus, who was born to save you from your sins and to give you eternal life. Remember the reason for the season.
