Don't miss Christmas

With this being the season to shop, wrap and give it is easy to get caught up in flashing lights and busy 'stuff' and totally miss Christmas even though you make all the events including the church play. The feeling you get from being around things gives us a false impression that we are involved and participating while the opposite could be just as true. Being around something doesn't make a very good case for understanding or knowing that which we are witnessing or observing. Even participating in activities doesn't truly demonstrate understanding either. If going shopping is a chore that includes the task of wrapping up a present too, I suggest that you forego the event. If you are only giving because it is expected or you feel obligated I think there is no doubt you are missing the point of Christmas. Christmas is about giving with the main gift being the gift of God's only son to us. Christmas is about receiving too and to experience this part of Christmas it involves a relationship. When we know people the impact of their gift to us causes our mind to roll in thoughts about our experiences together. Receiving a gift from someone we don't know can often cause us grief, honestly. Think about it. You get a gift from someone and the very first thing that comes to your mind is the thought that you don't have anything to give to them. The gift of Christmas is about receiving with no strings attached. Jesus Christ didn't come to earth as the baby born in Bethlehem to obligate us to give back. If His gift of love and forgiveness is free, and it is, then free it is indeed. What will confuses some is their thinking that we must give back because of His gift. Our giving is not a must requirement, our giving is because of a love experience not a built in response of obligation or duty. Don't miss Christmas by going and doing. Experience Christmas by loving, after all it is the greatest gift and the one requirement of Christianity. Until then