Yes, I Am Definitely Ready For Christmas!

With the Holiday season approaching fast, and the typical hustle and bustle of the season's preparations, I have to say that this is definitely my favorite time of the year. The weather is getting quite nippy, and who knows; there may even be snow on the ground this Christmas. As you check off items from your shopping list, you can hum to the soft background sounds of "Oh Holy Night" or " Jingle Bells." Or maybe bundle the whole family up and head to "A Christmas Carol" or "It's A Wonderful Life." Don't forget to string the pretty lights and hang the stockings, and definitely don't forget the Christmas tree with the ornaments and bows.
Ah yes, it is definitely a time for reminiscing past Christmases, and looking forward to Christmases to come. Maybe even creating some wonderful traditions that can be passed down through the generations. It's also a time for memory making family togetherness, laughter, joy, too much food, singing Christmas carols, dazzling holiday decorations, pumpkin rolls, and the list could go on and on!
Although all of these things that I have mentioned does make Christmas wonderful, the best and most important part of the holiday is the birth of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it seems as though society tries to take Jesus out of Christmas, always finding something to fill up the holidays; something that takes away from the true meaning behind the season, whether it be with toys, iPods, or the newest fad.
On Christmas morning, instead of getting the family Bible and reading the Christmas story, children are racing to the tree to rip into all of their presents that they have been waiting so patiently to receive. After the excitement has worn off, the piles of wrapping paper and ribbons and bows are hauled to the garbage can, and the children are sitting around with their new toys. Christmas is basically over now. The presents are unwrapped, the dinner has been eaten...what else is there to do? Precisely! When you center your Christmas around the birth of Jesus instead of give me, get me, and wish lists; you can celebrate all day...all month...all year!
That is something that I want to teach my children one day (and it's something that my parents have taught me) - it's ok to give and receive gifts, but let's not be greedy. Let's be moderate, because even if you only receive one small present, you are still more fortunate than most people in the world today!

I hope everybody has a wonderful, magnificent, glorious, fun-filled Christmas (and Thanksgiving)!