DOES EVERYONE HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS??

 

     It's 25 degrees outside in New York City as a homeless family tries to get in line to get food from a local Rescue Mission. The Mom is unemployed and is single. She has no money to buy her kids Christmas presents. Will they have a Merry Christmas?

     In Ethiopia, a family walks along a dirt road trying to find shelter and food. It's December and they don't know where their next meal will come from. Will they have a Merry Christmas?

     A young father visits his wife in Sloan-Kettering Hospital. Her body is filled with a rare cancer, and she only has days to live. This father has no idea how he is going to raise their five young children alone after his wife dies.  Will they have a Merry Christmas?

     Earlier this month I had a fellow college classmate who was an Athletic Director for Columbia International University pass away into glory at the age of 58, Darren Richie. He left behind his wife, his 4 daughters and grandchildren. Will Christmas be easy for them? Will they have a Merry Christmas?

     A father is employed with his company for over 10 years. In late November he is asked to report to his boss's office and is told he is being laid off because of budget cuts. He and his family were saving up to purchase a summer home so they could spend their summer vacations by the beach. Now they are forced to live on the wife's salary. She is working at their local Walmart and is now forced to grab more hours while the dad looks for a new job. Money that was once there is now being used to purchase food for the family. Money is tight! Will they have a Merry Christmas?

     All these stories are reality. This is not what you would see on your typical Hallmark Christmas movie. In those movies its usually guy meets girl, but they don't get along. Then magically after many misunderstandings and conflict, they end up liking each other, falling in love and living happily ever after. Reality is life can be tough! We have all gone through heartbreak, losing a job, losing a loved one to sickness and/or death, having no money and struggling or just downright being depressed. I heard it said that there are more suicides in the month of December than any other month. Many feel the pressure of buying the best gifts, making sure our kids are happy and making sure Christmas is absolutely 100 % perfect. Here is the reality....it never will be perfect.

     I get so tired of hearing about "The Christmas Magic." You hear about it during movies, I have heard Talk Show hosts talk about it with guests and even on kids cartoons you hear that phrase a lot. Here is the reality again. December 25 is another day just like May 21 is a day. The difference to the world is that we wake up that morning and open our presents and stockings. Yes, it is Christmas Day. But it's also a day to celebrate a Birthday! Although historians will try to prove that Jesus was born in the springtime like in April, we have designated that day, December 25 as Christmas Day. It is really a day to celebrate the Birthday of Jesus, not celebrate Santa Claus. He was born of the Virgin Mary. Both Mary and Joseph tried to find a room at the Inn to spend the night, but the Innkeeper said there was no room. They had to go to a stable, a place where animals were kept. Mary conceived and gave birth to Jesus, our Messiah. They placed his body in a manger, they very place the animals ate their hay out of. All heaven rejoiced and we continue to rejoice knowing our savior lives. He would later die on a cross for us so that all our sins would be forgiven. Best of all He offers us a free gift. A gift we do not deserve. It is the gift of eternal life.

     So, my prayer for you this Christmas is NOT for you to find Christmas magic or for you to have a perfect Christmas. I do hope and pray you enjoy your family and friends and that it is an amazing day for you! I pray most of all that if you are going through hard times or if you are going through good times, you will find peace in knowing who Jesus Christ really is. I pray you will find peace and rest and will enjoy your Christmas and New Years holiday! So, with all that said, I'm not going to say "Happy Holidays!" NO! That is hogwash...MERRY CHRISTMAS!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!   

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!