"Steep Grade"
So, we have passed the first of November and if you think the year has gone by quickly to this point just hold on. We are now on a steep downhill grade to the end of the year and we will pick up speed the closer we get. Not only is the year running out of days but we also squeeze two big holidays in as well and the grade gets even steeper.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are wonderful days for us to celebrate but why do we make ourselves so crazy as we celebrate? Thanksgiving Day we gather family around us and that IS a good thing, but then we spend hours fussing over a meal that is far bigger than any of us should eat and we miss the time with the family that has traveled to be with us. After the meal we lie around like beached whales and nap or watch football again missing time with the family. The next day is "Black Friday" and the Christmas shopping season is in full swing. That means that we load everyone up in the cars as early as possible and join the throngs of others trying to get a deal on items most of us don't really need. We return home at the end of the day and collapse exhausted into a pile of department store bags and credit card receipts and we have missed spending time with family again. What is it we are thankful for? Is it health, home, family and friends or a 3,000 calorie meal, football and blue light specials?
Christmas is much the same. We sing about peace on earth and silent nights but we live like we will have none of those in our lives. We fill the month of December with parties, pageants and presents instead of peace, praise and prayer. Not that parties, pageants are bad things, but when they get to be the main thing we will never find peace on earth or a silent night. We spend so much time fretting over what we are going to get everyone this year that I am afraid we miss the greatest gift of all – JESUS. Oh, we may put a "Jesus is the reason for the season" bumper sticker on our car, but then we will complain and even yell at that person that stole our parking space at the mall. Or we will get angry with a store clerk because everything in their sale flyer is sold out when we get to the store.
I know, I am really ranting. Forgive me and I will get off my soapbox. I was just thinking that if on Thanksgiving we would spend just a few minutes gathered with our family expressing what we are thankful for we might grow a little closer to each other and to the One who gave us all the blessings. Then on Christmas if we would really focus on Jesus and the reason He came we would again grow closer to our loved ones and to Christ. Then maybe, just maybe the grade would get a little less steep and our brakes will not be smoking when we reach December 31.
I'm just thinking! What are you thinking? Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Shalom!