What Christmas means to me

What does Christmas mean to me?

It is a time of family. I heard a saying recently that the other "f" word is for family. I fortunetly have a family that is relatively close. Yeah, we argue, say a few f*&@ you's to each other, and we fight, but we generally come back and work things out. Good practice for relationships. Well, maybe not the f*#@& you's. I come from a family that is largely full of strong personalities. So we have strong opinions about many things. One thing I can count on is my family. We have a strong bond.

Christmas also means giving. At this time of year it is natural to give to those who are less fortunate. But we must not forget them during the year. This year has been very difficult financially because of my debt. I have made a commitment not to use credit cards and also made the committment to pay off my debt. Which I am slowly doing. Giving has been a big struggle this year. The only time I have used credit cards in the past year and a half of of making a committment not to use credit cards, was on vacation back in Spetember. Which I now regret because of trying to pay it back. I have found that debt is an inhibitor to giving. When I do get out of debt I want to make a habit of generously giving to others in need. I see all the needs around me and see people suffering, and I just cannot do anything about it. Yeah, maybe ten dollars here and there but it is not much compared to the people in need.

Today when I was at a visting church, I sat next to a friend of mine. I found out she is going through a divorce and custody battle for her two kids. It is already starting nasty and they are heading for mediation in their divorce. As I sat next to my friend she just started crying uncontrollably. All I could do is just be there next to her, rub her back and put my arms around her. She just cried and cried. I felt helpless to do anything for her and at this time of year she is heading for rough waters ahead.

What does Christmas mean to her? It means the most generous gift given to us. That is Jesus. A small baby born to give us hope from our discouraging days, to give us peace when we are anxious and stressed, to fill us with security when we are sad, and the put a smile on our face. It is also to fill us with awe, worship and praise. But how does a baby do this? It is God coming down to man. He is our heavenly father who opens the windows and doors of heaven to let us in. We don't have to reach to him, He reaches to us. He sees our needs before we even have to say anything. God is a loving giver of gifts. He wants to lavish gifts on his children. Sometimes the gifts are literal and sometimes they are emotional and mental. Peace and hope for our minds and souls is a gift. It is the most precious gift we can get. In our lives that are filled with struggle, pain, trials and suffering, we have a God we cares deeply for the soul, the deep down desire that no one ever sees. Yeah, we can put on a fake smile and fake people out when they ask us how we are doing. But the only one that sees the heart, the deep down needs is God. Not all physical gifts can satisfy our inner needs. What is that inner need for you today? Open up your heart and ask God for the gift of your inner heart's desire. You never know, you just might find it on Christmas morning.