Christmas Season Is Here

It may only be seven days later, but the atmosphere has definitely changed. As we drove home tonight we took note of all the outdoor Christmas lights on our street.  We both thought there were more lights this year already than in previous years.
Could be due to so many homes on our street having changed hands in the last year. It could also be due to the warm weather in the last few days and people took advantage of it to work outside. I’m just going to go out on a limb here and say, it’s probably due to people finally getting into the spirit of this wonderful season.
In one week things changed so much. The radio station has non-stop Christmas music. (Even though it’s more about a “holly jolly Christmas” than “It came upon a midnight clear.” The sales advertisements in the paper, on the radio and on the internet are non-stop. And have you notice that people seem to be smiling more. I even heard two clerks in the store today sharing about their plans this year.
Canada is getting it. Just like most every other country. It took a while but we knew it would arrive. It arrives differently for each and every one of us. But it arrives none the less. Are you glad? Are you excited about what the season means?
This past Sunday many of our churches celebrated the first Sunday of Christmas. It was our Sunday of Hope. The minister could have searched for something to do with hope for gifts or family home or even finding that special gift for that special someone. The hope we celebrate is more than that. It could be the hope of being ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. As we light the first candle on the Advent Wreath, it might even have enveloped a hope of new beginnings or hope that Christ would produce a brighter light in our lives. I believe we need to realize that Christmas is not just one special day of the year. Even though it is. It is not just this one specific day, it’s this season. Over ten percent of the year is focused on the birth of Jesus Christ. And for many, they don’t even know it.
Myself, I feel we need to embrace the hope of having Christ much closer to us this year than every year that has passed us by. A time when we realize it is His birthday, His celebration with us being participants in the biggest, largest birthday party the world has ever know. For this season, everyone can experience the most important thing of life and that is knowing someone loves them, yes loves you.
Jesus Love You.
And that is something to think about.
Rob