As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. Christmas has always been my family’s favorite holiday. The kids are out of school and we get to spend a lot of time together (we drive each other crazy after the first week). We have several different traditions such as the candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve, or going to Granny’s house afterwards and allowing the kids to open one present, knowing full well the gift they open will always be their Christmas pajamas to sleep in that night. We have many more traditions we honor during this time, but there are none more important than reminding one another of the reason for the holiday.
There are 2 topics which are a bit taboo for us to write about, religion and politics. I am going to touch on religion for just a minute. I’m giving you prior warning, so you can change the channel now if it’s going to offend your beliefs.
There are no 2 ways about it. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas literally translates into “Christ Mass”. It does not matter who you believe Jesus Christ to be. If you celebrate Christmas, you are celebrating or at the very least, acknowledging His birth.
Those who tuned out can now tune back in. I don’t think I’ll offend anyone from here on out.
The past few years have been a struggle for millions of people around the world. There are those who have no idea where there next meal will come from, much less what they will buy their children for Christmas. Many have spent months looking for a job and are on the verge of losing their homes. This is the first Christmas for many who have recently gone through a divorce or lost a loved one. One week ago today, our community suffered the loss of two 20 year old girls in a tragic car accident. The pain and suffering their families are going through is unimaginable. It’s also a very lonely time of year for many. Whether you are a single parent or just single, have no family or friends to spend Christmas with, it can be a very depressing time.
Through the commercialization of Christmas, we have made it a very selfish holiday. It has become more about the gifts we receive and the fun we have, than a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
My wish for you this year is that you honor the reason we celebrate Christmas. I wish you peace and calm when things seem hopeless. I wish you success and prosperity. I wish you abundant joy and happiness. I wish this Christmas to be so special you never feel lonely again. I wish that God showers his choicest blessings on you and your family. I wish you courage to never give up being the best that you can be and that you face all your struggles with honor and fortitude. I wish that God blesses you and your family with good health and protection from accident and injury.
You and your situation are unique. I wish that your Christmas is as special and unique as you are.
Merry Christmas from the Searer Family.
God bless you, Michael. For all the adversity you and your family have been through, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! My hope is that God fulfills all of your hopes and dreams.
Thank you, Brian. We have all grown stronger through the adversity. Merry Christmas to you and yours!