The shopping lists are crumpled up and put in the recycle bin. The white Christmas arrived along with the winds and snow drifts. Some weathered the icy roads and made it to the family Christmas dinner. Gifts exchanged along with the excitement of childrens smiles. For two or three days we were blessed to live through our tiredness that often accompanies all that is involved in bringing all the traditions together. No sooner did the storms of winter’s winds also leave and a calm of quiet enters back into the home with empty bank accounts.

It sure was a nice time of togetherness. It seems strange today in the quiet of home with the same holiday songs still playing on the radio. Santa or at least the idea of Santa came and went. His sleigh stuck in a snow bank somewhere with frosty the snowman. In it all, hopefully we also experienced the love of Christ Jesus, above all else with His Spirit of joy, peace, hope, love and faith. It is a prayer that the same feelings of love, giving, sharing, and forgiveness will continue into the New Year to come. 

I still look at the Christmas season as special because it does seem that there is a brief time where we do see many of Christ’s attributes alive and active in people more so than any other time of year. I can’t help but think of how for weeks, the message told to children – being that Santa is coming. There is an excitement that permeates the hearts of children believing that when Santa comes he will give them gifts and toys. In reality, we know in time children outgrow their toys or they break a day later and end up in the garbage. (Side note. It all makes me think of how Satan (Santa) offered Jesus many temptations too. Or how Satan offered Eve to the knowledge of good and evil. No wonder that same temptation is given to innocent children. All the presents Santa will bring if you only believe in Santa. Satan is such a counterfeit in everything’s he offers.)

Adults know we lie to children teaching them a false belief. When they find out a couple years later that it was all a lie, how disappointed they will be. I remember the disappointment I felt when I found out Santa was not real. Why would children trust anything adults say after being told the biggest lie? However,  if we told them that the real truth about the reason we celebrate and whose birth is celebrated at Christ Mass. The gift from God the Father, to all human kind, given to us which will last for eternity. How much more the excitement should be. It is not something we can buy in a store.  That miraculous birth of a baby named Jesus, God incarnate, to grow and live as any other child experiences life. Yet  for 33 years lived without sin. 

The fulfillment of bible prophecy being lived out through Jesus birth. Born in a manger being and wrapped in swaddling to years later, again fulfilling bible prophecy exactly in His dying on a cross for all our sins. Interesting to me is that Jesus was  taken down from that cross dripping in His shed blood and then wrapped in strips of linen cloth (sindon) combined with spices like myrrh and aloes.  The light of the world step down into darkness, to open our eyes and let us see. In hope of a life spent with Him. God gave us the greatest gift of all which is eternal life and forgiveness of sins for those who believe and receive his gift and open it. 

The true story of that first Christ mass continues today. Could we know that Jesus? Could we now, also be as excited about  that same Jesus one day coming again on the clouds?  Could we seek to know Jesus and be ready to meet him face to face? On that special day for all those who have received his gift of life can see and experience this within a blink of an eye.  Merry Christ Mass. Please be careful not to get trapped under the shopping carts while exchanging all those presents on Boxing Day. (Smile)