Saturday, November 28, 2009

Things have really gotten away from me since Thanksgiving! Here it is Saturday already! Friday is just a blurr of a simply fun and relaxing day, but isn't that what the day after Thanksgiving is suppose to be? And why do "they" call it Black Friday? My husband use to work in the retail industry and they called it Green Friday! That's a day all the money would come in and the shopping days for Christmas gift giving had begun! Not to mention the stores would have fun in their preparations too. I'm not against the stores for what would we do without them today, but let's think about that... what would we have to do if we didn't have stores to go shopping in or malls and restuarants and home shopping networks or online shopping and free shipping too? We might actually have to do something besides spend money!

It might be we'd go out the day after Thanksgiving and take the family along to gather wood for the winter even if we had to bundle up because the weather got cold over night. In the process of work the kids would have fun playing games and getting to know one another. Some of us might have to stay behind and prepare the evening meal for the day or maybe even plan out the meals for the entire week but it would be a real treat when everyone sat down together to eat! And for gift giving at Christmas you'd have to get really creative and think of what you might make or what gifts you were given you could use for the blessings upon others. Like the little drummer boy, remember him? He came in a song we sing; not that it's a true story. However, he gave his best when he played his drum for the King.

What an idea! I use to spend money at Christmas. Lot's of it as a matter of fact and not that I had lots of it either, but I would spend it. Now I don't know that anyone much cares what they get. I see most people open one and go right to the next without even a thanks to the person who gave. I know from experience that thank you's aren't something you get any more from those you see next door or somewhere across the way. We've lost something from Thanksgiving to the weeks that follow in the Spirit of Christmas and that something we've blamed on the retailers and stores when maybe we should look closer at the shoppers and families we shop for this Christmas. I want to give my very best even if that very best is something not big or expensive or maybe not even store bought!

My daughter-in-law one year, a year when I was in my busy bee lifestyle and had not time on my hands to bake or make or whatever it might take, and she made and gave us an ice tea jar filled with homemade cookies of all sorts and kinds - it was wonderful to set them all out on a tray and share them with friends when they arrived one day. Another gift I have to this day and it hangs in my bedroom to remind me each day what a "joy it is knowing my children (and grandchildren) are walking with the Lord." This a beautiful creamic heart and another of Battonburg lace that tells me how much "I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works."

My Dad is not with us for any more Christmases, but the memories of him and Mom and the fun we'd all have when we went to cut our very own Christmas tree for each house one year and the campfires and roasted marshmellows, and Christmas Eve services late at night with candles lit on the end of every pew and our Christmas trees standing tall and decorated with the love of homemade ornaments and strings of popcorn! Well, so much for memories as I'm getting ahead of myself with Christmas still three weeks away and we've only just left Thanksgiving behind. With all there is to look forward to in the coming weeks, may we prepare for the celebration of Christmas Day when Jesus our Savior was born! Praise God for Christmas and His sending His Son! Not only do we have the opportunity each year to celebrate His birthday, we also celebrate His death and resurrection as well for it is He who is the One we adore! Remember the reason for this season as you take each day and give it... no, let's give Him your best!