Now that Thanksgiving is over, I am ready to look to the Christmas season. I almost never do anything Christmas until November 28th. It’s just a rule I have.

My kids always teased me when they were in school with the Christmas concert they had to “practice” for before Thanksgiving. lol I always joked with them, telling them to tell their instructor “too bad” your mom says you can’t! We had a good laugh.

Seriously though, nothing till after Thanksgiving. I think it might be my favorite holiday really. I love getting together with family around a good meal. No obligations or worries about gifts. Just good old fashion family time. Love it!

I was sitting on the couch the other night as my husband was composing a cello part for “Silver Bells”. I was doing something mindless so I was listing to him and the song. The words really struck me. It was never one of my favorite Christmas songs, but now I think it might be. It’s just a lovely song.  I love the second verse:

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile

I was thinking as I listened to Jeffrey play and “in the air there’s a feeling of Christmas” really struck me.  So much magic is being spread all over the TV lately and I was thinking about that “magic”.  That Christmas feeling.

Looking out the window, I see Christmas lights up. Our’s and the neighbors.  So “magical”.  The only thing better would be snow on the ground.  That always makes this time of year much more magical.

Then as I listened the, “Children laughing, people passing meeting smile after smile” stuck out to me.  I think the kindness of people really is magical.  People aren’t very kind these days.

I almost never have a stranger smile at me, even when I smile at them.  It’s such an awkward thing.

Why do people only try to be kind this time of year?

Why is November the month people post, “thankful” posts all over social media?  Shouldn’t that be an all year long, daily thing?  I think so.

Why is it that we see people “paying it forward” only this time of year?  I almost never hear about it any other time.  We should be kind like that all year long.

So as I listend to Silver Bells and the cello over and over, looking at the magical evening of lights out my window I started to ponder why else would this time of year be so magical?  Sometimes, I just have to ask my self silly questions.  lol

Then it hit me… Jesus!  Oh ya, that’s right!  That’s why this time of year is so magical.  It’s not the lights or snow (every where else but the PNW)  It’s Jesus.  It’s a magical thing that He was born of a virgin.  That He came to bring people to the Father.  That He loves us so much that He left His heavenly seat to join His children.  To seek and save the lost of this world.  Now that is magical.  He came and hand picked you and I for Himself.  What a magical reminder what Christmas is really about.

So as Christmas approaches and you wind up your shopping, stop for just a moment to remember why we celebrate.  It’s not the lights, tree or gifts, but it is the magical gift of Jesus.  He has left his throne above to join us. To walk daily with us through his Holy Spirit.  He has come to change us and make us like him.  I challenge myself and all who might read this to be holy as Christ is holy this Christmas and all through out the year.

 

Luke 2:8-14

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 

I’ve added the lyrics to Silver Bells here for you to enjoy.

Silver Bells

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, (ring-a-ling) hear them ring (ting-a-ling)
Soon it will be Christmas day

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear

Silver bells, (silver bells) silver bells (silver bells)
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring, (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day

Strings of street lights, even stoplights
Blinkin’ bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch
This is Santa’s big day
And above all this bustle you hear.

 

My hope and prayer is that you would have a very Merry Christmas and HOPE for the New Year.

Love in Christ
Sabrina