The Reason For The Season

In this time as we finish up our last minute shopping, I think it is important to stop and remember why we are running to a fro.This time of year has always been filled with happiness and wonderment for me. I remember a a child, I would sit up on Christmas Eve and stare at the gifts under the tree. Even after I stopped believing in Santa Clause, I was still filled with joy and anticipation during this season. Christmas morning was even more magical. I remember many times being yelled at by my parents as they tried to reign in my excitement. I didn't want to eat breakfast before I opened my gifts; I wanted them then and there.

Now that I am a bit older, and hopefully a bit wiser, I am still filled with anticipation and wonderment. But, for a different reason.  I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I really like looking at their faces as they open the gifts I'd gotten for them. You see, as a child I was excited for what i received; now I am excited about what I was giving. Of course, I still like getting stuff; who doesn't.

However, even with all this giving, I hear stories and see see first hand how stressful the holiday season can be. People a angry that the item they were looking for in a store is out of stock, treating sales clerks and associates with such disdain that I wonder if they even are considered human. Customers are fighting with each other; carrying on as if they have no home training. And some people are are throwing shade because they didn't get the gift they wanted.

Let us remember that the reason we celebrate this time of year is because God gave us his only begotten son. That gift was given onto us, gifts were in turn given to Him, and we in turn mimic that by giving gifts to others. Yes, we all like to get our flat screen TVs, new Cell Phones, jewelry and other sorts of brick-a-brack. But, for me, the important thing is that someone thought of me to give me a gift...period. It may not be exactly want I wanted, but I will appreciate it nonetheless. I will thank the giver with all my heart for taking the time to shop for a present just for me. But more than that, I will do my best to give a little of myself in every gift I give this season. Because that is what was done for me.

With that said, I hope more of us stay calm as we finish up our last minute shopping. But more than that, I pray that we all think about why we are shopping in the first place. It's not just because the sales are great or because "Timmy" says he wants a new toy. It's because we love the people we are shopping for and we are thankful we are able to bring some joy into their world as joy was brought into ours. Merry Christmas!!