Christmas seems to start earlier every year! I'm not saying that is a bad thing but it is confusing. It seems to me that many in our nation want Christmas to begin early for one reason. It brings people joy! During the month of September I noticed at a few local Dollar Tree stores started putting out Christmas items next to the Halloween stuff. I never understood why the world of retail feels the need to begin selling merchandise for certain holidays 3 months before the actual holiday. I can understand maybe one month before, but three?
I used to run a summer program for kids at my church called "King's Kids Club" back in the 1980's. It was on Wednesday evenings for kids ages 4 to grade 6. I loved having theme nights such as "We Love America Wednesday". "Dress up like Moses Wednesday" and "Western Wednesday" where kids dressed up in Cowboy hats and western gear. My all time favorite was always "Christmas in August Wednesday." I guess you can say I got the idea from the old Crazy Eddie Commercials that were on TV here in NY. They sold all types of electronic equipment like TV's, radios and stereo equipment. They had this guy doing the commercial yelling and he always ended the commercial by saying "His prices are INSANE!" I always loved when they had a "Christmas in August Sale." The actor doing the commercial dressed up in a Santa suit and he had snowballs thrown at him as he tried to describe the sale going on. So once a year I was so happy to do this particular Wednesday event. We put up Christmas Trees with lights. We decorated the tree with ornaments and hung up tinsel, garland and so many decorations. One year I even had my friend Ed visiting from Buffalo bring his pet goat. We called him our "Christmas goat!" I always loved the expression in parents faces when they dropped of their kids or picked them up. They must have thought "This guy is nuts!!" To be a children's pastor and to be an adult talking to puppets, you have to be nuts!
Christmas brings people happiness! I don't necessarily agree that decorations should be put out in stores in September. But I do believe that with all that is going on in our world with Israel, shootings and Covid, I just know our world is looking for a glimmer of happiness. I am not surprised people put up Christmas lights after they take down those dreaded Halloween lights. I'm sure many people are listening to Christmas music as well. In my lifetime I have always enjoyed Christmas. But Christmas is only one day. Yes,it is a special day but in the world we live in, why are we choosing happiness only during a few months of the year? There are other things in life that will make us happy. My life is certainly not perfect and yes, I do love Christmas, but during the other months in the year I have chosen to find happiness following Jesus every single day. I pray you will all do the same! In the meantime, let's never forget the Thanksgiving holiday where we give thanks for all He has provided for us! After Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas friends and family!!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND EVERYONE
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