Holiday? Fun?

I go through a cycle every year that seems to be happening earlier and earlier. When I was a child growing up I always looked forward to the holiday season as every child probably does, but as I have gotten older I have become less and less excited. At times I have to admit that I even question the point of the madness.

I can remember going on vacation to the mountains as a child and was surprised to find out that many mountain towns celebrate Christmas in the summer because nobody can get around in the winter due to the snow and winter weather. I am afraid that is the direction our culture is headed in but it's not so families can celebrate before the bad weather hits. Unfortunately it's no longer about the birth of our Messiah as it is about the healing of our economy.

I'm pretty sure Jesus was referring to people when he said he came to heal the sick, help the blind see and help the lame walk. Instead in America we use the Christmas season to boost sales, increase morale and sell diamonds. I can remember when the Christmas decorations didn't come out until after Thanksgiving but lately I have noticed that they come out earlier every year, and this year I started seeing decorations right after halloween.

Am I the only that is bothered by this? Today I had to honestly ask myself if I was part of the problem or the solution. I don't have a solution and if buying a bottle of perfume for my wife makes me part of the problem then I guess I am, but through it all I have noticed one undeniable truth. Music about Jesus becomes mainstream for at least one month every year.

I can't pick any other time of the year when I hear Jesus' name spoken so much either by his followers or by his haters. Personally, I think Christmas songs are a little bit lame. They all seem so somber and mellow when they are about the birth of the Savior of humanity. To me that warrants a bit more kick drum or wailing guitar. All of this ranting leads me to the point of this blog. Jesus is bigger than our holiday traditions, shopping sprees, overprices sweaters and Lexus sales.

As much as our culture tries to make Christmas about the latest fashion or gadget, Jesus will always make it about Him. The message of love, peace and forgiveness always seems to shine a little brighter during the holiday season. Relationships seem to be mended a little easier and families seem to be drawn closer together and for that I say thank-you to my Savior.

Happy birthday Jesus. You are worth all of the hype.