It is so hard to believe that this holiday season is just flying by!  There is so much excitement all around us as we take in the sights and sounds of Christmas.  The children are anxiously awaiting Christmas morning to tear into their presents.  There are Christmas parties underway, Christmas Cantatas at churches all around, and school will be getting out for the Christmas holidays this week!  Yea!  At the time of this writing, there are only ten more days until Christmas!

Please do not let this holiday season go by without considering the real reason for the season.  Please remember the little star that lead the shepherds to where precious  Baby Jesus was laying in the manger.  Celebrate the birth of Christ, Our Lord!   Jesus is the reason for the season, and the gift He came to bring to us all was the gift of being forgiven for all of our sins, the very sins that nailed Him to the cross.  He came to bring us the gift of salvation, for if we only ask Him into our hearts and believe in Him, He will give us the gift of eternal life in Heaven!   Oh Glorious One!  Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.

As the to-do lists grow longer as the days to Christmas become shorter, stop for a moment and meditate on the real reason of the season.   Gather with friends and family, yes.  Celebrate and enjoy the wonderful times with others, yes.   Take in the sights, sounds, and enjoy all of the parties, songs, celebrations …but , *please*, keep Christ in Christmas.  Keep the message alive in your hearts and minds.  Remember that Jesus came as a little tiny baby in the manger, knowing his fate and his destiny, knowing that He would die a cruel death on the cross for all of our sins.  Tis the season, and Jesus Christ is the reason!  He was born into this world, walked the face of this earth in human form, was tormented, tortured, and then died the death of a criminal … He did it all for you and I.   He did it for the gift of eternal life.  He rose again on the third day … He’s alive!  He is alive!  Thank God Almighty that Jesus Is Alive!

‘Tis the season … and Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is the reason.  Amen!