Christmas is my favorite time of year. The cold weather, the decorations, the giving spirit, the parties, the candies, and the anticipation of children are joys to take in. As I grow older I appreciate each Christmas all the more. My family began celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving when the tree rose up in our living room with all of the decorations collected over the years. The house has been adorned with all things Christmas. My children put up their own tree and decorated it and my oldest son has turned his room into a Christmas shrine.
Music is one of the great treasures of Christmas. Personally, my favorites include Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Brenda Lee, and Nat King Cole. My family discovered the Christmas Candlelight Service at John Brown University this year and I recommend it to all. The music was outstanding.
Movies are another thing that help set the tone. Everyone always cites "It is a Wonderful Life" and it is a great movie, but my favorites include three Bing Crosby movies, "Going My Way", "Belles of St. Marys" where he plays Father O'Malley and "White Christmas. No one does it like Bing. Other great options include "The Bishop's Wife" and "Miracle on 34th Street". The old movies seem so genuine and touch cords that many modern movies just can't accomplish.
Christmas is also about traditions. One of our main family traditions is attending the Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion service at Central UMC in Fayetteville. It is a great way to make sure that your heart is focused upon the birth of Christ and the celebration of His birthday. We also love having a Christmas Eve meal with family (while listening to Bing), reading the Christmas story, opening one gift, and driving around the City to see the beautiful lights. Topping it off with a Christmas movie is perfect if time permits.
This year I have also been involved in leading a new study by Pastor Rick Warren entitled "The Purpose of Christmas." This is a great study that really helps you to focus on the things of relevance surrounding Christmas, namely - Celebration, Salvation, and Reconciliation. I recommend the book to all.
Christmas also brings back many memories from my childhood including huge family dinners followed by opening a gaudy amount of gifts with paper flying all over the room. As much as I treasured these days I also felt like we lost something among all the gifts. It is so important not to let the gifts to each other become your primary focus. Sometimes we become so worried about getting/receiving just the right gift that we lose sight of the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ coming to earth in the form of a child to offer his life for us.
May your Christmas be filled with continued traditions, new memories, and reflections on the Christ-child!!
Merry Christmas
