I’m not a fan of the holiday season. I’m a cross between Scrooge and the Grinch. I’m not bragging, I’m confessing. That movie Peewee’s Big Adventure will probably best describe this year as we do something new at Thanksgiving. Our youngest daughter, Klaire, is hosting. She and her husband Khen live in Houston and Khen is a professional ballet dancer, so we are going to watch a production of the Nutcracker the day after the “big feast.” It will be my first ballet, and it will be the first time we have ever done a holiday at the home of one of our children. Did I say this year things would be different and like an adventure because I meant to.
Typically, we put up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving Day. Klaire and the Blonde like to do that maybe this year we can skip the tree? My job is putting on the lights (we are old school) and they never work so that could be a blessing and reduce the stress on this tired, old, cynical pastor. I’m wondering if you don’t have a tree do you have to do the present thing?
I’m not even close to being a “foodie.” Maybe that’s part of the problem about Thanksgiving for me. A holiday centered on food doesn’t really excite me and really, it’s about gluttony isn’t it? Overweight preachers preaching about sin when their sin is well, so obvious has never really made me happy (it makes the rest of us look bad). I doubt it makes God happy either and He’s the one that counts, right?! Last time I checked gluttony is still a sin (Proverbs 23:20, 21, 23:2, 28:7).
I’m 6’ 3” and weigh 160, I count calories, try to eat healthy and run three miles a day. Why would gravy and Jello turn me on once a year?
I have not been to Walmart lately but I’m sure they have that aisle up with all the trees and blow-up things people put on their front lawns. I’m sure we will see nativity scenes going up in yards soon - that kind of excites me. Even the ones with a plastic baby Jesus can make this pastor smile a little bit.
Scripture says, “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Immanuel’ (which means, God with us - Matthew 1:23).” God with us, again, wow! I know there is less football at Christmas but still you gotta admit it’s a far better holiday, plus you get presents which are better than turkey and dried up dressing (I’m gluten free this year. What am I going to do?), right?!
If people would only take advantage of this holiday, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; (Isaiah 9:6)” What a great gift. Salvation, rescue from our sin. A remedy for all that ails. Can I get an amen!
Do you know Jesus? I mean really know Him. If you visit any church this holiday season, they can introduce you. Ahh, Christmas is so much better than Thanksgiving, kind of like ham is better than turkey. Maybe there is hope for me this holiday season.
He told me to tell you that.
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