Hey, friends! So now that our bellies are full of dressing and pecan pie, it's time for the best season of them all: CHRISTMAS!! Ya'll, I don't think you understand just how much I love this time of year. Christmas is so much more than presents to me, and I hope it's the same for you too.

When we think of Christmas, most people think of a the man in the red suit. Well folks, I've got some news for ya: CHRISTMAS ISN'T ALL ABOUT SANTIE CLAUS. Sorry to break the news to ya. Christmas isn't about Santa, even though he is a major contributor to the holiday season. We celebrate Christmas because it is the birthday of Jesus Christ. If Christ weren't born, we would never have the opportunity to live an abundant life full of joy, happiness, and peace.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. -Galatians 4:4-5

His presence is the best present.

For so many years of my youth, I felt that Christmas was about the number of presents I would receive. I would tear through them so quickly that I looked like Edward Scissorhands. There was absolutely no thought given to what was in the package and the bigger the better. I failed to realize that the best Gift I could ever receive was already given to me some 2000 years ago. Christmas was never meant to be about everything we want, even though we make it out that way. Since I am much older now, I have learned the true reason for the season. The whole idea of Christmas is for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Now, in my opinion, birthdays are a pretty big deal. I can only imagine how Jesus Christ, the One who died a brutal death for you and me, feels when we put our material possessions in front of Him.

So as this holiday season approaches, my prayer for you is to dwell on the true meaning of Christmas. When we get so focused on our selfish desires, we completely miss the whole concept of Christmas. When we consume our thoughts on gifts, we take our mind off of the only true Gift that has ever mattered, and that is eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Christmas isn't just a one-day feeling, it's an everyday feeling.

May you and yours have a very, very Merry Christmas.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. -Isaiah 9:6-7