Jesus Christ is the reason for the Christmas season

Christmas is getting closer and closer.  Have you noticed the level of preparation?

Shoppers are crowding the stores hoping to get one final present for a son, daughter, wife or other relative or friend.

At the supermarkets, the shelves are packed with ingredients for fancy meals – boxes of stuffing, cans of pumpkin pie filling, and containers of pre-made mashed potatoes.

Douglas Heizer

But are Christians going to church in larger numbers?  Are they taking part in church-sponsored carol sings, Christmas plays and tree decorating?

More important, are they taking time to meditate and pray to God as Christians prepare to mark the birth of his Son?

How many Christians have visited the house of God lately – to hear the beautiful story of the Virgin Mary, and how she gently and courageously accepted the responsibility of carrying the Son of God in her womb?

In the midst of holiday music, one can hear the tender and heartfelt songs about the birth of Christ:  “O Holy Night,” “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Away in a Manger.”

Christmas is a time for joy.  It’s the one day of the year when troubles can be set aside.

And it’s the one day that Christians must give their attention to the Savior.

Yes, it’s all right to buy toys and gifts, to enjoy rich foods and candies, to sing secular songs and build snowmen, hang candy canes on trees and watch football.

But Christians believe none of this would be possible without the arrival of Christ two millennia ago to show us that death is not the end of our existence – and to declare that we have a place to spend eternity that is wonderful and holy.

That’s the message of Christmas.  Please don’t forget it.  Even if you take a few moments away from your celebration, don’t let the day go by without giving thoughts and thanks to Our Lord.