December 25, 2010- a day for joyful celebration. This year time just seemed to slip away until before we knew it Christmas was here. My husband and I both work for organizations where the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the busiest days of our work lives.
Christmas isn't about material gifts or it shouldn't be. It's about rejoicing in the greatest gift ever given. Long ago, in a land not known to many today, a young lady and her carpenter husband left there new home of Nazareth and journeyed back to Bethlehem as requested by the authority of the time-to be counted as part of a census. Who knew that they would arrive and find no place to stay? Who knew they would settle for a stall in the stable ? Who knew that the young lady would give birth that night ? Who knew that the tiny baby in the lowly manger would be the greatest Christmas gift any of us would ever receive ? Who knew that this tiny baby would be sought out by people near and far ? Who knew that he would grow up, preach and teach, have many followers ? Who knew that eventually he would die so that each human being could have life ? Who knew that he was and is one who remembers us, even when we keep him at a distance, far from our hearts ?
What a wonderful gift we have been given. A being who took our form, lived among us and eventually lost his life to save ours.
This is the miracle we celebrate at Christmas. This is the greatest gift, a gift not to be kept for ourselves, but shared with every person we meet on our journey.
Merry Christmas and may all of you remember to share the Greatest Gift !!
JOY:)
