Merry Christmas!

     Merry (late) Christmas everyone!  Christmas may be over, but the true heart of Christmas is for any day of the year.

     Sometimes I feel that Christmas Day is the main event, the thing we plan for a month in advance, then we count the days till it arrives.  But before I hardly know it Christmas is over and it's easy to feel like "that's it?".  I think that Christmas is not about the day itself, but about Jesus and our relationship with Him.  Out of that relationship then we give love to family and friends. 
       I find it easy to forget to say "Hi!" to Jesus in the midst of the busy Christmas season.  To wish Him "Happy Birthday!" or to ask Him what He's thinking.  I'm so thankful for what God's done in this past year and what He is going to do in the next.  Let's not forget to thank Jesus for all He's done for us!

   Last night while worshiping together at home I wrote this little poem about Christmas.

Christmas...

What is Christmas about? 

The presents and stockings, 

The turkey dinner, games, and fun,

Friends, and family 'talkings'?

Is the value in what we get, 

what we do, how we act?

Is Christmas for us or others?

Is it about what we have or lack?

Christmas shouldn't be about us, 

our wants or our needs. 

It's about Jesus who rescued us

and planted faith 'n' love as seeds.

He's the one who satisfies life, 

who renews the weary soul. 

His Love is what brought Christmas, 

So Love should be our goal. 

In Love He came to earth, 

a defenseless baby boy.

To save the people, the world,

to restore our love and joy. 

Because of Love He came

and made a way for each.

In a hopeless world of darkness

Love He came to teach. 

Christmas is about Jesus

in thanks for what He did.

For paying for our sins, 

For coming as a little kid. 

Christmas is His birthday.

How did the focus get on us?

We should ask how to show Him

our love and thankfulness.

A time to seek His face. 

A time to love 'n' help others.

A time to give and bless

our siblings, fathers, and mothers.

Friend and strangers should feel

love and generosity flow.

Christmas is a time to love, 

and let everybody know. 

Turkey, presents, traditions.

Beside the point they are,

if we don't love Jesus

and others near and far! 

Let's not be self-centered,

but focused on Him we love.

Full of thanks for what we have,

Looking for things from above! 

Merry Christmas!!!