Its Christmas Eve. Where I live, its warm...although it usually isn't. Our usual weather is snow and cold, but evidently Old Man winter is out Christmas shopping:) It looks like we will have a green Christmas in Northeast Ohio. We originally planned a Florida Keys Christmas Vacation, but decided to cancel [at the last minute] because our kids couldn't bear the thought of spending Christmas without our Basset Hound puppy. I prayed that we would at least have a white Christmas. So many of my presents are hinged on snow [spoiler alert if my kids read this], so many of them will be shelved as today's high is 56.
As I grow older, the Christmas season seems to go by so fast. This year it wasn't caused by shopping, but solely on our family's busy schedule. I woke up today and was overcome by a feeling of sadness. Christmas is almost here. Gone will be the happy meetings. Gone will be the cards. Gone will be the parties. I was sad. Then I remembered that there is no need to be sad at Christmas time. Be thankful to God. Be thankful to Mary for not even hesitating with the Angel of the Lord told her that she will bear a child named Jesus. I thought about one of my favorite Christmas time speeches. Its from Linus during "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I am so thankful to Charles Schulz and the whole Peanuts gang for putting the true meaning of Christmas in this animated film. It has become a must-see for my family and a true Christmas classic
Linus Speech
on The True Meaning of Christmas
Charlie
Brown: Isn’t there anyone, who knows what Christmas is all about?!
Linus: Sure
Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights please?
And there
were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid. And the
angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy,
which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you:
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And
suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising
God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good
will toward men.
That’s what
Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
The True
Meaning of Christmas from the Bible
And Joseph
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary
his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were
there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought
forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in
a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the
same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by
night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto
them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:4-14
.
