Advent

Advent is (or should be) a time of preparation. We are to take these weeks before Christmas to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. As I look around me, I see "signs of the season" everywhere. Lights, trees, wreaths, and the like are popping up everywhere. Christmas songs are beginning to be played at every store I stop into.

Everyone is excited about Christmas--but for the wrong reasons I am afraid. Christmas has become all about getting (and receiving) the "right" gifts, parties, baking cookies, and a big family get together.

One of my favorite Christmas specials is "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The scene where Charlie Brown finally asks, "what is it all about?" and Linus quotes the passage from Luke 2 always impacts me.

It is OK to do all of the things we do at Christmas, but not at the loss of the true meaning of Christmas. I will not say, "Happy Holidays." It will always be "Merry Christmas" to me. I just hope and pray that everyone I know and love does not get so caught up in the fluff of Christmas that they miss the point.

God came to earth--for me, and for you. THAT is what Christmas is all about. God loves me (and you) so much that he would take the human form of a baby, live and die a horrible death, for me (and you). Then on the third day--resurrection! may you never forget the reason for the season. Start preparing your heart now so you can truly say, "Merry Christmas!"