Get Your Christmas On! We all need it!

Those that know me well, know that I love celebrating Christmas and everything it really stands for. They also know that I don't start celebrating it until the day after Thanksgiving. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my Savior, I love that His birth was the beginning of so many great things that changed me and saved my life. But for the past 40 plus years I wanted to celebrate one holiday at a time and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite. Good food, family, and friends and I did not want to skip over it, I want to enjoy every minute of Thanksgiving. 

That being said, I think the world needs more Christmas. 

Turn on the news and you will hear about people being shot, police officers being targeting, crime on the rise, and so much more. The hatred that is being spewed by one group of people because you don't agree with them, and the hatred that is being shot back. The tension is high due to race, violence, sexual orientation, religion, politics, and just about anything else. It seems pretty much every group is mad at someone or feel like they are being targeting by others. Hatred and Fear seem to be the feelings of the day. 

It is obvious that the world needs more Christmas.

So why do I say the world needs more Christmas? Think about it for a moment. Christmas brings out the best of people. It is a time when people stop focusing on themselves and what is wrong, and start focusing on others and how they can be a blessing. I am sure many of us buy a gift as a secret Santa, for a needy family, or for someone who is all alone. Others might give money to charities this time of year. We tend to forget about our differences with our friends and families and just enjoy being with them.

During the Christmas season people care more, they give more, and they forgive more.

With the world and our country so focused on the anger and violence, we need more caring, giving, and forgiving. We don’t need the hate and fear; we need hope and love.

We need more Christmas!

When Jesus was born and angel appeared to some shepherds:

"9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!" - Luke 2:9-14 HCSB

Jesus was born to bring us hope. His birth brings joy to many. He was driven by love to bring us peace.

What can counter the garbage in the world, the violence in our communities, the hate, and the fear? The Love of Jesus can break through all of it. His ministry on earth started with His birth, lets break through all this junk by celebrating His birth.

Let’s get our Christmas on!

Thanksgiving is weeks away. The weather is unseasonably warm. We are still facing an election and all the negativity that will abound before and after it. People are angry, others are scared, the violence is happening all around us. But the birth of Jesus brings us love, hope, and joy.

It may seem like it is too early to start singing those Christmas songs. It may feel odd to start watching those Christmas movies. You may get those nay-sayers telling you it is too early for all this Christmas stuff (I am normally one of them). Today more than ever this world, our communities, our families and friends, need Christmas. Not the material kind of Christmas that is all about the gifts, but the one that is about putting others first.

When Jesus stepped out of heaven and become a weak innocent child He did it for you! He did it out of Love for you and everyone around you. It is time that all of us look around and see people as Jesus sees them. Look around and see them as someone that Jesus loves, that He thought they were worth stepping down from heaven for, and that He knows they are worth dying for.

We are not Jesus, but we can still love others. We can still spread joy, we can still give hope.

Don’t wait until November 25th to start sharing your Christmas spirit.

Start today!

Get your Christmas on!

Love those around you. Forgive those who have hurt you and make a difference in the world around you.

Start Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior today! Be loving, giving, and forgiving!

Get your Christmas on!

God Bless,

Robert

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