CHRISTmas?

It's Christmas time! The people's favorite holiday of the year. We get a chance to go even more into debt, as we struggle to buy overpriced gifts for our family members who we have failed to spend quality time with. Did I just say that? 

A few days ago I found myself having the blues. I was thinking to myself how I'm single and don't have anyone to snuggle with during this holiday season. I was also thinking about how I wish I had more money to buy lavish gifts for family and friends. Then it dawned on me, the holidays are depressing me for all the wrong reasons. 

Question: Why do we celebrate Christmas? Answer: As followers of Christ, we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ was born. Not only was He born, but He died for our sins. Not only did He die, but he rose three days after His death and continues to LIVE. I don't know if Christ was born on Christmas, but this is the day set aside to commemorate His birth. Yet it amazes me how a society that doesn't acknowledge Him celebrates this day. It amazes me how the media has made a fiasco out of this sacred time. 

As a child I received a plethora of Christmas gifts. More than I needed. As I get older the amount of gifts I receive is a smack in the face, but a lesson that I wish I could have learned as a young child. Christmas is not about me and it never should be about me. When did we take the CHRIST out of Christmas? When I have children they will be grateful to open one gift on Christmas day. They will learn that Christmas isn't a time to covet about the things that we want, but don't need. They will be raised in the real meaning of CHRISTmas. 

As we approach this CHRISTmas, I am learning to check myself and train my way of thinking. It's not about me and it never will be, and I am okay with that.