It's HIS day, not ours......

Well, it is Christmas morning, and believe it or not my kids are still in bed. I suppose it is not so inconceivable that my 4 month old daughter is still in bed, but sons Devon and Robbie, (9 and 5 respectively), are still snoozing. We are at my parents house presently, and we will be opening presents, eating breakfast and hitting the road to Lexington in just a little while. Christmas and the holidays are a special time of year, because that is when most people like to gather their families and spend quality time with one another. Some people actually dislike the holidays because of painful memories, or the fact that they have nobody to share them with. I suppose that those of us with large extended families who have to hustle and bustle to see everyone probably think that we have it rough. Or perhaps we say we hate Christmas or dread the holiday's approach because of all of the stress that it brings. I think that perhaps we don't know how good that we have it. I myself made the offhand comment that, "I hate Christmas", because of the stress of planning and purchasing. I really do wish that I could take it back though. We tend to forget what this holiday season is about. Even if we are happy and full of "Yuletide Cheer", the Man that this is all about seems to get pushed to the back burner. Our Lord God who came to earth as the Son of a Carpenter, who later died a horrible death to secure our salvation is sometimes an after thought. His exploits are somehow eclipsed by gift-giving, commerce, and the fictional exploits of a fat guy who slides down chimneys. I wish I had the entire month of December to do over again, I think I would show much more respect to the holiday season and what it is all about. While that time has passed and cannot be reclaimed, I can, however live out today and the rest of the season like I am supposed to. I hear my Father upstairs rustling about, and I think I am going to go upstairs, give him a big hug, and help him cook a Christmas Breakfast. For all of you who are gathered with family, for all of you who are in the midst of traveling, and most of all, for those of you who think you have nowhere to go, and nobody to celebrate with, please remember that God loves you. God Bless each and every one of you, and have a very Merry Christmas. Merry in the sense that we are celebrating our Lord's birthday, and the day that our salvation began.