Are you finished your Christmas shopping??  I’m not!  Each and every single year I ask myself  how it can be possible that we all have an ENTIRE year to get this done and it still comes done to the wire!  Shoppers are just crazy right now.  I feel like when I go into a store or the mall I have to hang on to my girls for dear life because of all the rude ill mannered people out there.  And worse then the stores and malls are the parking lots.  It’s like people completely throw safety out the window just so they can get in there faster.  This whole scene has once again made me really stop to think about the true reason for the season…

What is the whole purpose behind Christmas? Why the gift exchanging? Why the rudeness towards fellow shoppers and store clerks?  Why the crazy schedules that wear us down?  Our society has turned the most special time of year into a commercial mayham….I think we’re missing it completely….and by a long shot…..even those of us who call ourselves Christians….

I feel that I myself get caught up in the craziness.  I fret over buying that absolutely perfect gift that my girls will be thrilled over.   Everyone is trying to keep up with the Jones’.  It’s almost like we’ve forgotten why we are even giving the gifts.  My oldest daughter summed it up so perfectly last night during her bed time prayer.  She prayed ” Lord, let us not forget that Christmas is about you and not about the presents that we get because those presents are supposed to be to celebrate you. “  There it is, from a 6 year old!!  The reason for the season is JESUS!  His glorious birth that was written about years and years before his arrival.

Let us step back this next week to really reflect on Jesus and the true meaning of this holiday season.  Its so much more then all the fun parties and opening more presents then the kids can even handle.  It’s a celebration of his life.  Let’s put our pride aside and make him proud!  Next time you are out shopping make sure to make eye contact with the sales clerk and tell them Merry Christmas.  Buy a coffee for someone who is sitting alone in the food court or on a bench because for all we know, they may have just lost the love of their life.  When little kids bump into you in the crowded aisles look down and smile rather then raise your eyebrows in irritation.  And importantly of all lets truly be a living example showing off the characteristics of Christ.