The Best Gift Ever

Christmas has come and gone again.  Another year of anguishing over what gifts to give is over.   Even decorating the house for the holidays seems like such a chore each year.  It's not that I don't appreciate the holiday, I only wish it were kept in the context for which was meant.   For that reason, I esteem Easter much more.  It has yet to become the nationalized unreligious hype that Christmas has become.  I appreciate the fact that Christmas is the time we celebrate our savior's birth, I just don't see the significance of the commercialization of it.  In fact, if Easter hadn't happened, we wouldn't even be celebrating His birth.

I think there are many who feel overwhelmed and depressed as I do, but are afraid to admit it.  So many people get excited about it, that to say anything to the contrary makes you a target for ridicule.  Names such as Scrooge get thrown about.   For those that relish in the holiday with its glitter and glamour and festivities, I say bully for you!  Go for it.   I just don't want to be judged by your standards.   

I'm sure that when and if I ever have grandchildren my tune may change.   Although I find it very difficult to lie to small children and make-believe there is a Santa Claus.   Even when my daughter was younger I found it hard to pretend such a farce when I really felt in my heart the best thing I could teach her or help her to believe in was the fact that Jesus came to this world to make a way for us to be saved.   I wanted her to know that above all else, she could count on Him to deliver her from whatever hardship or trial she may ever face in her life.   I was always worried that if she found out we had lied to her about Santa Claus, would she think we were lying about God?

So far, my twenty-year old daughter, seems to be quite rooted in her faith.  I don't think the farce of Santa Claus has caused permanent damage.  Maybe it was that all children her age were taught the same thing and they all realized about the same time that it was just a nice story.   I'm still not clear on what the story was supposed to teach us.  Whether it was to let us know that someone loves us all so much that they want to give us gifts, or that if we are really good, we'll deserve nice gifts.   I'd much rather cling to the discovery that God loves us no matter who we are, or what we do and gave us his only son that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.   By far, that is the greatest gift I've ever received and that is exactly what I want my children and grandchildren to have also.

So, whether you think I'm the Grinch, or Scrooge, I can't help it.   I make no apologies for not trying to impress anyone with my decorating, party-giving or gift-giving skills.   I offer only the truth; that Jesus came into this world to become like one of us and to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live with Him forever.  And that is the best gift ever.