It's That Time of Year...

Yes, "it's that time of year when the world falls in love; every song you hear seems to say, Merry Christmas..." It's also approaching the time of a New Year, and all that goes with it; resolutions!

Today has been a rather contemplative day. Pastor and I have been looking back over the past year and, truthfully, we have some disappointments, some regrets, and thankfully, some moments of ahhhh!, Yes!, Great!

But, getting back to the now, it just doesn't seem like Christmas to me this year. I have enjoyed riding around the neighborhood looking at the pretty lights, and listening to the Christmas music my husband started playing BEFORE Thanksgiving, but the "Spirit" of Christmas seems to be missing. I do believe the world has a case of the doldrums. There is so much stress and anxiety about the current global situation; economy, wars, healthcare agendas... It is easy to get weighted down and forget the real meaning of this time of year. I do believe, inspite of everything, that it is alright to be happy, content, even joyful right NOW. We, as Christian individuals (and truthfully everyone), have so much to be thankful about. God sent his son! Christ came to earth to make a better way for us. We have redemption through the greatest gift ever given! We should be singing, "Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of heaven, God of earth..."; Hallelujah! Hallelujah!..."

I do not want to live in the negative. I want to live in the positive! Why be negative; it doesn't solve anything. And, yes, I have physical challenges. I have emotional challenges; I am a minister's wife, so I have over 100 various challenges, but I must not let any of these rob me of my joy in Christ. You say, "That is easy for you to say, you don't walk in my shoes." You are correct, I don't, thank the Lord. However, I do pray for you that you will let the Light of the World shine in your heart and life this Christmas season. I pray you will take time, some time, any amount of time, to just draw aside and let Jesus fill you up with the goodness of his love, mercy, forgiveness, forgetfulness of past wrongs, and His abiding presence. In a world all wrong, we can have this little bit of right!

I feel more like Christmas already. I think I'll go out and share some "Orange Gifts of Love" with my neighbors; spread some cheer. I'm going to stop dwelling on what is wrong with the world and find some things that are good and pleasant.

Merry Christmas. Merry, Merry Christmas, in your hearts!