A Life Long Christmas Friend

AS I lay here this morning thinking about the birth of Christ on this Christmas Eve, I began to remember how the story goes where there was no room for him in the Inn. How he had to be born in a lowly stable amongst the animals. My mind quickly wanders throughout the life of Christ. From the very beginning there were so many who rejected him. There were so many who had no room for him in their lives. Right away there were those who set out to destroy him even as he was just a child. So many times he faced rejection here on earth. Then the ones who did make room for him quickly abandoned him the day that he was crucified. Just days before they were crying out "Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." Then soon after, the same people were crying "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Even his disciples were no where to be found. As I was laying in my bed this morning with all these thoughts running through my head, I wondered, "Lord how did it make you feel to receive so much rejection? I know your heart must have been breaking into. How did you manage to deal with it all?

In the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season people are so busy they don't have time for Christ. It's all about shopping. Getting the best deal. On to the next sale. Making sure that they buy for all their employees, employers, friends, every family member and etc. Even if it means they max out every credit card they have. Why if Susie is buying for everyone then I have to buy for everyone as well, right? Bumper to bumper traffic, and driving around forever to get parking. So much pushing and shoving in the stores. Give me! Give me! Whats in it for me? The next thing you know we have lost focus of the "Reason for the Season" Hey folks, for your info -you DON"T have to keep up with the Jones or the Smiths! Step back, take a deep breath, and re-focus. I guarantee it will make your Christmas Season much more pleasurable. I promise!

My youngest daughter and I were talking the other night and sharing our thoughts on how it seems Christ is left out of Christmas. You go to the stores and it's "Happy Holidays!" Even if I tell someone "Merry Christmas!" the majority of the time, their response to me is "Happy Holidays!" What's up with that?" I look at them, smile and say, "Nooo, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" and walk away. I hear so many people say how they hate Christmas. How so? This is my favorite time of year. Christmas is all about Christ. The true Reason for the Season. I love to listen to the beautiful Gospel Christmas songs. I like to decorate the house and get into a festive mood. I enjoy telling my grandchildren the story of his birth and the purpose of why he came to this earth. Today we will gather around and have dinner with the family. Then evening time, the children will open their presents. Tomorrow morning the children will rise and shine, race to the living room to see if Santa left anything for them. Yes! There are the snow prints on the carpet and there's the gifts! Oh Santa's been here! They will excitedly open those gifts as well. Caleb will smile secretively because he knows who the real Santa clause is. You see, in our house Christmas is all about Christ and the children. We started a new tradition in our family 3 years ago and now we only buy gifts for the children. It is so much fun to see their faces light up as they open up their gifts. As adults, that's all the gifts we need. That and the love of Christ and the love of one another.

After the kids have opened their gifts from the so-called Santa on Christmas Morn we will all gather at Mark's for breakfast. Later in the day everyone will come to my place for dinner. Then another Christmas will have come and gone. I know in my last post I spoke on how life has been kind of rough these past two years. But as I lay in my bed this morning thinking of the life of Christ, well....there is nothing I've gone through that he hasn't already gone through. There isn't a path that I have walked that he hasn't already walked. Rejection? No one knows how that feels better than Christ. Abuse? Ask him about that! He was sorely abused the day he was crucified. Don't believe me read about how they beat him, spit on him, plucked his beard, pierced his side. I dare you to read it! And he did it all for our salvation. Yet people STILL continually reject him today. There are those who have called him Lord, even yet today, turn and walk away. Yes the road may have been rough, the trials at times hard to bear, the pathway dark, and my feet felt as though they were on shaky ground, and at times I seemed lost and confused. I may have been angry at times but never did I hate my God. Never did my love for him subside. Deep within me there was something that held me fast through it all.

On this Christmas Eve I want to remember what Christmas is all about. Not just today and tomorrow. But everyday, all year long. I don't ever want it to be said of me that I don't have room for him in my heart. Never do I want to reject the Lord. Hard times will come and go. But this one thing I know, he will ALWAYS stay close by my side through it all. In the lonely hours of the night, when I'm feeling alone and rejected, he is there. He hears my cry. He answers my prayers. He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me. For he is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

I started my walk with the Lord Aug 19, 1979. We've crossed many rivers, climbed a lot of mountains, and went through many valleys together. We've traveled many narrow paths. At times, the going has been extremely rough. Other times it's been smooth sailing. Good or bad, he's been there for me through it all. This one thing I know, he is my Friend, my TRUE Friend! He is ALWAYS there when I need him. On that I can depend. I smile as I think about the child born on that day. Rejoice! Rejoice! The Savior has been born. My Life Long Friend.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!