"Close to Christmas"

We’re getting close to Christmas,

And things can get stressed out,

Pays us to remember,

What this is all about.

And, no, I am not fussin,’

As so many do,

Why tour guide someone’s guilt trip,

Let’s try something new.

Celebrate them homeward,

Let them feel your joy,

Stop all this complainin’,

That does nothing but annoy.

Forget your expectation,

For what they do or say,

And just love everybody,

From now till Christmas day.

Do it without conditions,

Or if you get it back,

Pour it out on everyone,

Expecially those who lack.

Be crazy with your compliments,

And lavish with your praise,

Don’t hold back anything,

The Christmas banner raise.

And try to help somebody,

If at all you can,

No, we can’t for everyone,

But lend a helping hand.

And when it is all over,

We get back to normal life,

Usher in the new year,

With more peace and less strife.

Look real hard to Jesus,

The Lord of life and fun,

Live life more abundant,

And celebrate the Son.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” (Luke 1:46, NIV)

The first Christmas story is full of rejoicing. Mary rejoiced, the angels rejoiced, the shepherds rejoiced, and the magi rejoiced. There was celebration! When Jesus walked the earth, over and over his Kingdom stories had to do with banquets and parties and cook-outs where everyone was welcome. Jesus ate and drank with “sinners,” which scandalized his religious critics. The stress of the season robs us of the joy of the season. How does that change? Not by fussing at people or criticizing them for saying happy holidays instead of merry Christmas! If there’s a chance of it changing at all it will happen when we rejoice and allow our joy to be contagious. Think about your own personal party and who you can invite to it! More will come that way than any other, I suspect. Happy up!

Lord, restore to us the joy of this season and our salvation, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jack Sorenson, jacksorensonfineart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jack, and God bless you.