Meh-ry Christmas

Wow. Two weeks from now is Christmas Eve! Where has he time gone? Seems like it was just yesterday that I finally got all the lights working on the Christmas tree. Hey, wait a minute, it WAS yesterday! I am running out of time. At this rate it's going to be Valentine's Day before I get the last of my Christmas shopping done. I haven't even started!

Do you think we will celebrate Christmas when we get to heaven. I personally don't think so. In my opinion, God would not allow some of the "Christmas" stuff we do down here. Throwing lights on a Christmas tree, buying expensive presents to give to each other . . . only to have the recipient take your gift back to the store and get the cash.

I don't even think there will be snow up there. I could be wrong about that. I have no proof. But I do know that there will be no darkness and God will light up our days, always. So, how could there be snow? It would melt.

"There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." - Revelation 22:5

Here's another interesting Christmas thought. If I have my theology right we will actually get to meet St. Nick when we get to heaven. Saint Nicholas was a real guy (2nd century AD). He probably wouldn't like having a special day named after him either.

I bet there will be Christmas songs though. No, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer will not be playing (an answer to prayer), but Handel's Messiah might be . . .

Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah - Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

And although John Frederick Handel will be in heaven, the members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will not be. They worship a different God.

Christmas causes us to do things we wouldn't otherwise do. It seems to enhance the quality of the things we do in life and the gifts that we give. There is a little more thought given to things of wonder - of wise men and stars, of mangers and gifts. Why is that? And shouldn't we be living our lives like that each and every day?

Here's a Christmas challenge for you. Each of us has someone special in our lives who we love and give gifts to. Well, forget about them. Well, not really, but think about someone different. Think about someone you have never given a gift to. Think of someone who could really use the love of Christ right now. Take a chance. Give someone new a Christmas gift.

It doesn't have to be much. Open the door for a stranger at Kwik Trip and wish them a Merry Christmas with a smile. Put someone new on your Christmas card list. Write someone a letter, give a friend some cookies, take someone out for coffee.

The gift of one's self toward others can turn a meh-ry Christmas into a joyous one. So rejoice!!

"4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-5,7

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Aaron Shust