9 Duh's Of Christmas
December 24, 2007
So, it's almost Christmas time … and now that we've gotten to know each other a bit and enjoyed some chick-chat and laughs, I thought I'd share some personal Christmas thoughts—nothing novel and in fact, for some of you these are a big "duh." Enjoy: "The 9 Duh’s of C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S"… .
- C = Christ. It’s all about Him. I know for some folks, this is not politically correct, but hello? His Name defines the holiday. Everybody else gets their day … the Ground Hog, Columbus, Veterans, Martin Luther King … so, for multitudes of people around the world, Christmas is all about Jesus Christ. Joy to the world … Go tell it on the mountain … Oh come let us adore Him … .
- H = Ho, Ho, Ho. Be happy. Laugh and enjoy the festivities of the season. Just a reminder, "Loosen the bone, Wilma!" Be your jolly, old self.
- R = Remember. Think about your own childhood and those heartfelt holidays. I’ll never forget some of my favorite Christmas flashbacks. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Lawrence Hospital Chapel, (because it was the shortest church service in town), and then the 2 a.m. omelets and waffles at Aunt Mary’s. I loved that! Setting up the nativity set each year and studying each statue; I wondered how Joseph’s arm broke off and why God became a baby. Making rock candy and having the “ugly cookie decorating contest” with my sisters. I remember my biggest disappointment, I was the one who wanted to be Karen Carpenter, but it was my little sister who got the oh-so-cool glittery blue drum set for Christmas. Think back.
- I = Instill. In this era of “gimme, gimme my name is Jimmy”… we have to work overtime to instill a spirit of giving in our children. It is more blessed to give than to receive … so let’s model generosity with the hopes that our children will get infected.
- S = Say A Prayer. Say a prayer for our soldiers and their families. While we are drinking eggnog–our soldiers are eating freeze-dried beef, sleeping in dirt foxholes and risking their lives for freedom.
- T = Thank. Thank God for every microscopic and telescopic blessing you can think of. Here’s some kindling … we live in America, we’re alive. The best way to avoid being the Grinchy-Scrooge-type is to be thankful on purpose.
- M= Make Memories. Make memories with your family and friends. What are your traditions? Those warm-fuzzies are the things your kids will talk about decades from now. It's worth the time and effort.
- A = Assess and Adjust. How are things? It’s the end of another year, are you pleased with your life? Spirit, soul, and body? Take inventory. Are you heading in the right direction? Christmas is a great time to get brutally honest with God and ourselves, so that we can adjust.
- S = See. What’s your vision? Christmas means that a new year is around the corner. Will 2008 be any different than 2007? What do you see for yourself? Your family? Your spiritual life? Your financial life? Your health? Your relationships? I encourage you to prayerfully "see" what the Lord has in store for you and then go for it!
I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Beth
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end …” (Isaiah 9:6-7, KJV)
