Christmas Cheer

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas... It's the best time of the year!!" is being blasted all over the radio and television these days.  Kids sit on Santa's lap and let him know what they wish for deep down in their little hearts, Mom's are going shopping crazy; sale racks being flipped through, carts careening wildly down grocery isles and screaming toddlers strapped into carts are a "Holiday usual".  Dad's are somewhere "busy at work", aka just trying to get away from this madness!! Christmas in America (and I'm sure other parts of the world) has become something else.  An event, more like it, where everything is about "Oh, my gosh! I don't have ANY gifts wrapped!"  or "Gaa! They are out of WHAT?!" instead of what it really should be about.  Christmas is my favorite holiday- I love the spices, the lights, just the romance of it all.  It is almost like Disneyland... it's simply magical!
The other flip-side to this equation is not full of roses and sunshine. 
Recently, my cousin had a terrible four-wheeler accident and was flown to Harborview Medical Center.  Brad and I made the treck up to Seattle to see him and talk with my Aunt and Uncle about how he was doing.  With all of the stress of driving through traffic and finding a place to park (sheesh- I don't know how people can do it!) I was so shocked at what we saw.  Everywhere- and I do mean everywhere- you looked there were tents, sleeping bags, tarps or other shelter contraptions.  I have always known that there were homeless people around, and a greater number in Seattle, but I was so saddened to see that many people out on the street.  I thought of these people today when getting everything "ready" for Christmas.  What will they be doing to "celebrate"? Better yet- would they even have a decent meal? I cannot be sure.  I bet those folks are not worried about "My gifts aren't what I wanted!" or "Yuck! I hate that sweater that Grandma got me!"
Every year around this time more and more people get depressed and stressed out. Financial difficulty,  family hardships, loss of someone close or the fact that they are alone for this holiday plagues so many people around the world. Suicide rates climb higher, and more and more calls that we go on with the Fire Department are because of that.  It gets to the point  that you think you can no longer go on, or bear the burden that you are carrying all on your own. 
I am here to tell you- you are NOT alone! Jesus is there to pull us out of the mire, HE is able to SAVE us from the world and ourselves.  The best thing we can do this Christmas to help the homeless or those that are hurting is to share the Ultimate Gift.  The only way someone can truly have HOPE is to trust in Him!  Jesus will make a difference in you life- just give him the opportunity to do it!  Just imagine- you can have hope again! YOU can be taken care of, loved and provided for.  He knows the very number of hairs on our head, so why would he not love us?  He gave himself for us- dying to save the lost, sinner, homeless, rich, poor, needy, you name it- He shed his precious blood for you and I.  I received Christ when I was 10 years old- I now have that hope.  The pure, wonderful hope, that someday I will go to Heaven and be received as a child of God. 
Don't let the worry of life bring you down this Christmas!  Receive the joy He has to offer!

"Jesus is the reason for the Season!"