It seems that every year when Christmas comes along, emotions that have been trapped inside of us seem to come boiling out. Some emotions that are good and some that are bad.

Christmas is supposed to be the time of year where we celebrate the birth of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. It seems however that we all have strayed from the true meaning of Christmas.

Lets start with why the majority of Believers used to celebrate Christmas. This is the time of Year that we celebrate CHRIST'S birth. Now with out our LORD, being born of a virgin and becoming a man, we would all be hopelessly lost and going to hell. I don't know when or how Christmas started but I really am not concerned about that. What I am concerned about is the decay of this precious time of the year into a capitalistic view of christmas.

All across our wonderful nation there are those who try and stamp out the true meaning of CHRISTMAS. Many places will not allow and religious displays such as the manger scene. Money flows and millions are spent on Christmas gifts. Kids and grown ups alike are bought expensive things and millions of Americans go hopelessly in debt every December and for what?

For nothing but try and out spend the others on gifts. You are probably wondering if I think the exchange of gifts should not happen. Absolutely not. However, I really believe that the cost of gifts should be lowered and that we should not go into debt to purchase gifts on Christmas. We need to get back to the basics of Christmas and teach our kids about JESUS birth and not a silly old man in a red suit and riding on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.

We need to teach our children that we exchange gifts to show the love of JESUS in us toward each other, and to remind us of the precious gift that GOD gave us. HIS Son the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

If we cannot not afford to buy gifts, a simple card or letter or Merry Christmas and GOD bless will do. Let us remember other members of the family and if we can without running up a terrible phone bill, let us call and wish others a pleasant and Merry Christmas.

Another devilish tactic that has raised its ugly head, is those that claim we should not celebrate Christmas at all. After all, they claim, JESUS was not born on December 25. That may be true and probably is. But let me say this. The day or the month that JESUS was born is not important. What is important is that HE was born. I remember in my life many times celebrating birthdays of family not on the day of that persons birthday. To make a big deal about it I believe is just another ruse of the devil to keep us from celebrating it at all.

Remember, They will know us by our love. We should all have the spirit of giving all year long. I believe if we turn away from the monetary view of christmas there would be millions of unhappy people that would be able to celebrate the birth of JESUS, with joy and thanksgiving.

For the scripture of this thought please read the verse of the day. The scripture comes from Isaiah. With warm and wonderful wishes of a very Merry and blessed Christmas from Cindy, my precious gift from GOD wife and I, GOD bless and remember when you take the CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS there is no Christmas left to celebrat

© Copyright 2001 by John and Cindy Thomas