“Soon it will be Christmas Day”

“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style. In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas…” So begins one of my favorite Christmas songs. Though I don’t live in a city, I enjoy the melody and the lyrics, especially as the song concludes, “Soon it will be Christmas Day.”

And that is indeed the case. Yes, we are still three weeks away, but the time for parties and decorating and shopping and cooking is quickly passing us by. Before you know it you will be turning the calendar to the New Year, and wondering where the time has gone.

I have said it before, but it remains true. When it comes to Christmas, I am just a big kid. I enjoy the lights and the songs, the smells and the foods. There is very little about Christmas that does not get me excited.

My wife and I raised two boys. I did so enjoy shopping for them when they were younger. No matter how old you are, buying toys you wished you could have had (or perhaps you did have) remains a blast. Today we have three granddaughters, ranging in age from two to sixteen. Hot Wheels cars are just not the answer for those girls. I have to depend on my wife for assistance as we make our purchases.

All of our gift-giving is simply a reminder of the greatest gift ever given. God, looking down on the need of those whom He created, saw that we needed a Savior. We needed someone to take our place and pay for our sin. And so, He sent us His Son. I don’t understand that kind of love. But oh, how I am grateful for it. “He became flesh and dwelt in our midst.” That is the greatest gift from the greatest God. And for that we give thanks.