Keeping Christmas Merry

For many of us, Christmas has ceased to be a merry time of the year. It has become a hurried and harried time. There is not enough time to do all of the shopping, decorating, cooking, baking, school and church programs...Ho, Ho, Woe.

Perhaps this year is the year to bring back the more simple days of Christmas past. We see readily how abuse of credit has gotten the world's economy into a mess. Charlie Brown was surrounded by those who were caught up in the commercialization of Christmas. The retailers depend on us buying now, and paying later. Let's not get caught in that trap this year. Let's do what we can, perhaps in a more simple way. Let's enjoy celebrating our Savior's birth. Let's be reminded of God's love for us. Let's be reminded that Christ followers have our citizenship in Heaven.

Here are a few gifts that cost little, but return great rewards. Friends are one of life's greatest gifts. Use this Christmas season to nurture these relationships. I Timothy 6:6-10 reads, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." This Christmas give yourself the gift of contentment.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Give yourself and your family the gift of giving to those in need. The recipient and the giver will be greatly blessed. Take some of what you would spend on yourselves and help a person in need have a Merry Christmas.

My friend Tony Cooke shared these thoughts recently. He compiled a list of eight things we can all give (and receive):
Give the gift of listening.
Give the gift of affection.
Give the gift of laughter.
Give the gift of a written note.
Give the gift of a compliment.
Give the gift of a favor.
Give the gift of solitude.
Give the gift of a cheerful disposition.

These are a few tips that could make your Christmas a bit more merry.

Merry Christmas and peace,

Stan