I can
assure you that I am moving along at a fairly acceptable pace on my second
book. At last count, I think I was at approximately 73,000 words and probably
about eight chapters away from finishing the story, but today, I wanted to take
a break from my writing-venture ramblings and focus, for a moment, on something
of far more importance. Because we’re bombarded by so many distractions, I wanted
the center of my focus to be on the greatest aspect of this holiday season. This
is the time of year that many of us come together to celebrate Christmas, and
for those of us who are Christians, the primary focus of our celebration is on
the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, He is the reason for the Season
and not just this season but every season of our lives. Even as Christians, we often
times find ourselves, myself included, caught up in the material aspects of it
all – worrying about the appearance of
all the decorations we’re setting out, the various holiday light displays we’re
wanting to drive by, the meals we’re planning to prepare, the gifts we’re still
needing to buy, and the travel plans we’re mapping out. And in all our haste
and excitement, we forget that the greatest Gift is not somewhere in a store
waiting to be discovered, tucked away in a hidden place saved for the perfect
moment, hanging in a stocking, or even lying underneath a tree. The greatest
Gift has already been given and is the only gift that is totally free yet completely
priceless. Let us pause for a moment, take time from our busy schedules, and
reflect on that Gift – the gift of God becoming flesh born of a virgin, bearing
the sins of the world when He shed His sinless blood on the cross at Calvary, and
rising victorious from the grave so He could offer eternal life freely to all
who would believe. His gift of eternal life IS the greatest Gift that was ever
given, the greatest Gift that can ever be received, and the greatest Gift we
can ever share. As we gather for various Christmas festivities with family,
friends, coworkers, and neighbors, may we remember to share His message of love,
light, and hope. I wish a Merry CHRISTmas to all as we celebrate the Savior’s
birth. May your celebrations be centered on Him and filled with joy and love
because He is the reason for any and all of our celebrations now and always.
