CHRISTMAS
Today's reading:  1 Peter 3

I've thought about it long and hard.  I've played it over and over in my mind.  I've tried to word it on paper with pen.  I'll just put it out there--hoping He uses it in a way that most glorifies Him...

I cannot wish you a Merry Christmas.

Oh, I'm not at all against Christmas.  It's not that I'm wishing ill-will upon you during this glorious time.  The thing is, 'merry' seems to not be the right word.  It seems too superficial, too simple.  It seems like a flippant adjective to place next to such a dramatic word like Christmas.

I wish you a Hallowed Christmas.  One that causes you to pause and think about the Gift.  A special season when O Holy Night brings tears to you eyes and the phrase 'the Great I Am' in Mary Did You Know stirs your heart in a magnificent way.

I wish you a Humbling Christmas.  One that gives you time to stop and think over all that you're holding on to.   A time to re-think what you're storing in your heart.  Mary stored the things that the angel spoke to her--we're not usually that spiritual.  Ask God, during this special time, to release your heart from what doesn't need to be there.

I wish you a Christmas that astounds you.  One that slows you down.  One that speaks to your heart about the fact of the matter--it's not the wrappings we've put on Christmas that matters.  One that reminds you of the Baby.  One that re-aligns your priorities.  One that causes you to see the lights, the tree, the Manger from a child's eyes.  One that puts the gifts, the food, the hurriedness to the side for the real reason of the Season.

So, I cannot wish you a Merry Christmas--because I want this special time of the year to be so very much more than just merry!