Merry Christmas!

     There are 3 words clearly presented in "Merry Christmas"  The first is Merry, the second one is Christ and the third one is mas (Spanish for 'more').  More Christ makes you merry!  Works for me!  I do wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  Perhaps you have traditions with your family or friends.  Maybe you travel to a distant place to celebrate with family or friends.  Maybe you cannot handle the stress of he Holiday and you check out for the day.  While there are many different ways to celebrate Christmas and New Years Day, everyone should have the freedom and support to celebrate this and all holidays in their own way.  You and I don't need to participate in order for others to celebrate.  We are called to support and be happy for others.  So, today, have fun, get caught up with those who have stories to tell.  Then eat and have more fun!  When you open your presents give a moments time to realize all that you have in Christ and in your family or friends.
     The amount of celebrations are as big as we believe them to be.  Do you remember trying to not go to sleep so you could see Santa Claus?  Now people make a line outside a store for the first official day of buying which would be tomorrow.  Though I am told some will go to the clearance sales at the stores that are beginning tonight.  I'm sure the paper will be full of advertising so we can return what we don't want and buy that which we do want.  I am so thankful this isn't true about the Christmas holiday.  It's true that Jesus is the Christ and we need nothing save from salvation from God.  Jesus did mas (more) than we can ever realize.  So, we need to remember what is important in His eyes rather than our eyes.  We all can do something but few will do anything. 
     This holiday is for everyone.  Some may only celebrate in the gift giving and receiving.  Just as many who will  celebrate only the birth of Jesus.  The rest of us will fall between the two extremes.  Why is that?  Do we have so much history in our traditions  that we don't venture beyond where our parents did?  Maybe your year(s) have been very hard on you and your faith is either non existent or so low that you don't even consider Christmas anything other than another day.  Part of our celebrating is spending money on presents.   For what?  Well, some do so because they want to, some do so because they are expected to and then some do so in order to remain a friend or welcomed family.  It's all about our choice.
     It's my prayer that everyone can understand the mystery of Christ being born and God came to earth as a man.  It's my hope that we don't go excessive with commercialism but do go excessive praising God and thanking him for all the blessings we receive.  It's my love that I offer to all who know me and my heart. With the prayer, hope and love we have a means of bring Christ to a world that needs more Merry Christmas!