It's December 26th, which means that Christmas was yesterday. Presents have been opened, feasts have been consumed. I know it seems early, but I wanted to share some random thoughts from this christmas. Here are some of the things I've learned this Christmas, presented in top 10 list form; some are serious, some are meant to be somewhat funny:
10. The Caramel Apple Spice from Starbuck's is addictively yummy.
I could drink at least 2 a day. But that would get expensive.
9. Some light displays are work of art.
I am amazed at the sense of beauty that strands of bulbs can instill in me, the lights really help to put me in a Christmas mood.
8. Some of the most powerful worship songs are Christmas songs.
"Joy to the world, the LORD is come, let earth recieve her king..."
That's powerful stuff right there, and I guess I never noticed the worship aspect of Christmas music until now. I think "Joy to the world" should be sung all year, not just at Christmas. After all, Joy is not temporary or seasonal.
7. The whole "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" debate is getting ridiculous.
I celebrate Christmas, and like it when people wish me a Merry Christmas. I mean, it's a Christmas tree in my living room, and those light around my porch are Christmas lights, not holiday lights. But Some people are taking it to far. I read an article in the paper about 3 weeks ago about a church in Dallas, First Baptist Dallas, that had created a website with a naughty and nice list of businesess. Those on the naughty list wished customers happy holidays, those on the nice list wished customers a Merry Christmas. In my opinion, it is a waste of resources; because instead of loving their community and showing them the love of Christ through service this church is insulting local businessess that wish people "happy holidays" by putting them on a so-called naughty list. Jesus cares more about people's souls than the way they greet people.
6. Elf is one of the greatest Christmas movies ever. 'nuff said.
5. But as awesome as Elf is, It's a wonderful life is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. It's a classic that you should watch if you haven't seen it.
4. My favorite name of Jesus is Immanuel. It means "God is with us" That is an incredible thought, think about what it means. It means God is with us. Not far removed from us, not against us, but here with us as go through life. Wow!
3. Coming home for Christmas is special. :) It's something you see in movies and hear about in songs, but this year I actually had to come home to spend Christmas with my family. It's quite a feeling to walk into your home for Christmas when you've been elsewhere for a while.
2. Family matters, after being away at school I appreciate them more than ever.
1. Jesus is the reason for the season. Have you ever tried to imagine life without Christmas? Not just our celebration of the holiday, but life without the Coming of Jesus, who is Immanuel, his sacrifice on the cross, and his triumphant resurrection 3 days later? It's a bleak, dark, hopeless life. But we do have Christmas, because Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he did walk this earth loving the unloveables, and he did pay a debt we could never pay. That's a reason to be joyful, not just at this special time of the year but all year round. There is at this time of year, what some people call the Christmas spirit. People tend to be more generous, more selfless, more caring and more compassionate to their fellow man. This is the lifestyle that Christians are called to live in their daily lives, yet often only at Christmastime is this evident in the lives of many believers. My challenge is that we would live like it's Christmas all year round, with joy in our hearts that overflows into our actions through our love for others.
Merry (belated) Christmas!
Truly Blessed,
Matt
(Numbers 6:24-26)
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