I heard that a survey recently was taken and approximately 50% of the respondents said that they wish they could just skip the entire Christmas season because of the added stress, financial and social burdens, and seemingly frenzied heights at which we are told to consume.  When you put it that way, I am not surprised.  But consider what we would also skip – acknowledgement of the greatest gift that our God has every bestowed upon us – the first coming of Christ.  This is not just one of those keep the Christ in Christmas rants that pop up (thankfully) each year.  It is also a challenge to turn the tide on this trend.  Just consider what this celebration has become, how the focus has turned to the celebration and away from the event.  I mean there are people who say they don’t even believe in God or Christ – but they celebrate Christmas.  That in itself speaks volumes on how wrong they are in their beliefs, and how far we have strayed from ours.  And at what point did it become about giving and receiving gifts – at least to the scale that it has?  I believe the three kings had it right Continue reading →