And She Brought

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Most all of us, at this time of year, have memories of Christmases past with our families; some good and some bad! 

During the holidays we (especially when we become parents ourselves)  are faced with pressures to spend time with family and friends; the impossible task of being in two or more places at one time; then the guilt of dreading the day that is supposed to be filled with love and joy! Everyone looking forward to the 26th; when all the madness is over for another year!

This message is not about the commercialism of Christmas, it's about there still being "no room"for Jesus!  No room! No time!  No time for Him; for the people we love; no time for ourselves! We have let the world rob us of everything His birth should mean! 

We've gotten caught-up in the "giving" out of obligation (because that is what we are "supposed" to do) that we have no room for "The Gift" Himself! We shop! We spend money we don't have! We give gifts that are not appreciated (out of guilt) because we don't have time to spend with those we love even though they all would rather have our time! 

I've decided to get off this merry-go-round! This year I've decided not to  celebrate Christmas on the 25th! I did not put up a tree, in fact I gave away my tree! I gave "Christmas" presents  months ago, when a need arose and am refusing to jump through the hoops the world expects of me! 

I mean, after all, Christmas is a "tradition of man"; banned in the USA until 1836; a pagan holiday that was adopted by organized religion to compromise with another religion! But that's not what this message is about! 

What my "opting out" is truly about is celebrating the birth of Christ everyday, instead of one day a year! I want there to be "room" for Him in my heart and my life, every moment of every day for the rest of my life!  Giving up the pressures: the expectations; the rules that our parents followed each year; trying to out do the year before, is the greatest gift I could give myself and my love ones! 

So if I randomly wish you a Merry Christmas in February, April, or August, you will know where I'm  coming from! Yes, I may be a bit peculiar but you all probably have already figured that out!!! You may even think I’ve lost my mind. What I've truly found though, is life more abundantly! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 12/22/13