There is a time for everything. A time to look forward to Christmas. A time to look forward to the New Year.
Sometimes I look at Christmas with dread, not because I don’t love it but because I hate the semi-depression when it is over. I want every day to be happy and joyful. Perhaps if I don’t enjoy it so much it won’t hurt so much when it is over!
I take comfort in these words from Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Christmas is our time to
laugh,
our time to
dance,
our time to
embrace,
our time to
keep,
our time to
love
and our time of
peace.
Just because I know other not so pleasant times may be around the corner. Just because I miss loved ones. Just because I know I’ll be going back to school in January. Just because I have too much to do later on.
I take these “just because” times and know that Christmas is a time to throw away those feelings just like I throw away wrapping paper. I only have 80 or 90 of these days in my life (if I’m fortunate) and have already had 36 of them.
I will enjoy this Christmas with all I am and all I have. I will laugh, dance, embrace, love, and inhale the peace of this day. I will worship Jesus with every breath and laugh.
Tomorrow is Christmas!
Enjoy it!
Throw away the regrets and struggles.
Keep the joy and memories.
Make this Christmas something special!
Merry Christmas!
Lord, forgive me for getting so busy that I cannot enjoy this beautiful gift of a day to all mankind. Calm my heart. Give my soul peace. Let me relax and take time for you today. Today, as always, I ask you what you would have me to do. I sit still and inquire of you, my Savior. I rejoice in your presence with me! Amen!