Rambling Reflections On The Season

December 2007

Grace, peace, and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have often wondered why Thanksgiving so closely precedes Christmas. I am aware of the traditions regarding harvest celebrations and the like, but I guess I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving as a time of reflection, family, and celebration in preparation for Christmas. OK, so what is significant here?

Christmas, the holiday that most of us traditionally associate with the birth of Jesus, is one of the most revered holidays in the Christian calendar. However, the idea of reflecting on the event that initiated God’s perfect plan for the redemption of His people is often overlooked in our anticipation of the celebration of the “season”. You know the gift giving and all that. So, as I pondered and prayed about this message I was inspired to try and bring some insight to the order of events in our traditional calendar.

It seems logical that Thanksgiving, traditionally a time of reflection and formal offering of thanks to God for His bountiful provision, would naturally precede Christmas, a time of rejoicing and celebrating God’s greatest gift to us – Jesus, His son. And so, following that same logic, the first day of the new calendar year would be perfectly positioned for us to reflect upon who we are. You know, sinners saved by the grace of God through the blood of His son Jesus. Wow!

The sad truth is that we often find ourselves swept up in the activities accompanying the festivities of the seasons. And after much celebration and over indulging we even find “relaxation” a chore.

The renewal that normally accompanies reflection, relaxation, and rest is overshadowed by the television commercials touting the importance of New Year’s resolutions. In other words, the idea of living out each day from who we are is lost in our never ending quest to justify our existence by “do something”.

Christine and I, after reflecting upon God’s bountiful provision, want to thank all of you for being God’s heart and hands, delivering not only God’s provision but His love for us throughout this past year. We also wish for you a joyous, Jesus filled, Christmas holiday followed by a time of rest and relaxation enveloped in God’s grace, mercy and love.

God bless you today and always.

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