Christmas Story: Reason for the Season

So now that the journey to Bethlehem is nearing completion and Christmas is just a few days away, this post is a "wrap-up" you could say.  There are so many things that Christmas seems to be about; however, there is only one true reason for the season.  

So many people get caught up in the gifts and the commercialization of the holiday.  No wonder the Grinch of Who-ville hated Christmas a lot.  The Grinch looked at Christmas as a holiday of gizmos and gadgets, a holiday of pride over a holiday of love.  Whether it was the noise or the toys or a rare who-roast-beast feast, the Grinch couldn't stand it.  I always wonder how many people think they need to out-do their neighbors, whether in gifts given or decorations or biggest party, and by so doing throw themselves into a bind for later.  I am sure many people would say, along with the Grinch, the holiday is out of control when it comes to the money that is being spent so people seem better than their neighbors or to get the "must-have" thing of the time; only to replace it next year with the newest model.  The reason for the season is not in getting the biggest presents or in the money that must be spent.

Nor is Christmas about Santa or Frosty or Rudolph or any of the Christmas character gang.  As fun as their stories are and the Christmas cheer they bring, Santa and his friends are not what Christmas is about.   The true spirit of Christmas, the spirit of good joy and of giving, should extend throughout the entire year.  And although Santa very much represents the spirit of the holiday, he comes and stays for a few weeks and then vanishes away until the next holiday season.  No matter how many malls he stops at or Christmas parties he attends, Santa Claus will never be the true reason for the season.

The true reason for the season is the greatest gift ever given to mankind; a gift of incomparable love and mercy.   We read in John 3:16, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."  Our Heavenly Father loves us enough that He was willing to send down His Son to the Earth.  The Savior loves us enough that He came and laid down His life for us.  Christmas is a time for giving, it always has been and always will; especially when we remember the gift of our Savior. 

As Christmas draws near and then passes, let us all keep the Spirit of the season in our lives.  Let us give and love and live everyday as if it were Christmas, for I feel that is how our Heavenly Father and the Savior would have us live.  This video, "Christmas Spirit" is one of my personal favorites because it reminds me what the reason for the season is.

 

I know that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.  I know that He lived His life perfectly and that He took upon Himself the sins and pains and trials of all of us because of love.  I know that He lives today and loves us more than we will ever be able to understand.  I love Christmas.  I love Christ.  I echo the declaration of Tiny Tim when he said, "God bless us, every one!"  Merry Christmas to all.