The Happy Christmas Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year....well, I do love this season. Everyone seems to be a little more jolly, a little more giving, a little more kind. I like to ponder on that first Christmas day so long ago. I've read that Jesus was likely born in the autumn instead of the winter. No matter though...Christmas serves as the day we commemorate His birth. I was dismayed to read this week an ugly discussion on the wall of one of my Facebook friends surrounding the pagan origins of Christmas (particularly the Christmas tree) and how Christians ought not to celebrate on this day. Here are my thoughts. One of my favorite parts of the story of the birth of my Savior in Luke 2 was when the angels appeared to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. Scripture tells us that the angels told the shepherds to not be afraid because they were bringing them "good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people". Move on to Luke 2:13-14:

And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

This sounds like a celebration to me! Because of the love of the Father for His creation, He provided a way for eternal salvation for fallen mankind. He gave us the ultimate gift in His only Son, Jesus Christ. This is cause for a celebration, even now!

As for the Christmas tree, I see it as nothing but a tree with pretty ornaments and twinkle lights. For the life of me, I don't understand why some people feel the need to judge their brothers and sisters in Christ over such inconsequential and harmless customs.

Yes indeed - Christmas has become overly commercialized. I, too, am guilty of getting caught up in the gift-giving and spending more money than I should. But I love this wonderful time of the year. It makes my heart feel lighter. It serves as a reminder of God's love for me. And even though it's not the real birthday of Jesus, and Jesus did not intruct us to celebrate His day of birth, I rejoice because it is the day He was born to save me. Like the angels and heavenly hosts who jubilantly proclaimed His birth 2 millennia ago, I also celebrate.

My daughter, my nephew and I went to the "Living Christmas Tree" at a nearby church. It's called this because it's constructed in such a way that the church choir sits in the tree. It has thousands of lights and is spectacular to see.

A part of the production was a play, which included Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus (pictured above). The baby was real. :)

Here is a replica of the three wisemen on display in the church lobby.

A few of my Christmas cards...

I have a few Christmas-themed books to read in my spare time.

Here are 4 mini puzzles I worked this week. Aren't the kitties cute?

Lastly, I made this hamburger hashbrown casserole for supper one day this week. It gets rave reviews from both my husband and my daughter, so it must be okay. Ha!

Christmas Thought:

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Blessings,

Lorrie