As I sit staring at our Christmas tree (that came to fruition by no small amount of effort), I feel compelled to write something that rings with holiday overtones (pun intended). By way of confession: I always gain too much weight over the holidays. (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).
Thanksgiving is now behind us. A few of us are trying to work off the pounds we gained during that festive, extended weekend. Some of us began our workout by doing battle on Black Friday. God bless you folks who find the strength to forfeit sleep, endure the cold and engage ravenous crowds, all for the hope of securing a deeply discounted laptop at Best Buy or Wal-Mart (of which they only have one per store). In more recent years, some retailers have decided to honor the law of truth in advertising and include this in the fine print of the ad (that there is only one of these voraciously desired electronics per store). Nevertheless, this does not deter thousands of people from lining up for it. Ha! I’ll bet many of them gained weight over the holiday (They should probably go to the health club on Monday).
On the other hand, there are those who brave the elements, forfeit the sleep and fight the perpetual crowds, not because they think they will be that one in a million who lays hold on some deeply discounted and coveted prize that will fulfill their lives from here to eternity. They do it for the thrill. Others do it for the fun of being with friends and family. They find value in being out and about in the crowd; shopping, laughing and enjoying one another’s company. Admittedly, even I can see the value in that. Still, whenever I shop I tend to make a pit stop at the sweets shops along the way (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).
As I sit here gazing into twinkling lights, I feel just a tad bit excited about the days ahead. Like a child in anticipation of Christmas Day, I look forward the Christmas musicals, the holiday decorations, festive music and the scintillating aromas of the holiday season. And, as if I hadn’t already had more than my fill of turkey, dressing, eggnog and German chocolate cake, the atmosphere of this time of year causes me to yearn for more. By season’s end, my celebration will leave me exhausted from shopping and many pounds heavier (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am struck by my own carnality. It is so easy to think of all the sights and sounds of this holiday season and not think as much about the original reason behind the season. There is something more bright than tinsel and twinkling lights. There is something more fulfilling than turkey and dressing. There is something to be sought more passionately than that one deeply discounted item. There is the Savior; the Messiah; the Lord of Hosts, who came from the heavenly realms into a world of gluttons and shoppers so that He might save all who believe. He purchased, for us, salvation for our souls. However, the cost was not by way of a deep discount. The cost was by way of the shedding of his blood and the giving of his life. He also offers truth in advertising (and not in fine print). Prominently displayed in his ad are the words:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
So, as we savor the holiday fare; as we enjoy Christmas musicals; as we shop till we drop and as we enjoy the company of friends and family, let us once again remind ourselves to set our sights on the Savior. Notwithstanding, we should also probably all make it a point to go to the health club on Monday…but we should make it our daily focus to go to the savior. Not only on Monday, but on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…(you get the idea).
With a belly filled with food; a mind filled with the sights and sounds of the holiday season and a soul satisfied with Jesus, this is from the Heart and Mind of Victor.
Thanksgiving is now behind us. A few of us are trying to work off the pounds we gained during that festive, extended weekend. Some of us began our workout by doing battle on Black Friday. God bless you folks who find the strength to forfeit sleep, endure the cold and engage ravenous crowds, all for the hope of securing a deeply discounted laptop at Best Buy or Wal-Mart (of which they only have one per store). In more recent years, some retailers have decided to honor the law of truth in advertising and include this in the fine print of the ad (that there is only one of these voraciously desired electronics per store). Nevertheless, this does not deter thousands of people from lining up for it. Ha! I’ll bet many of them gained weight over the holiday (They should probably go to the health club on Monday).
On the other hand, there are those who brave the elements, forfeit the sleep and fight the perpetual crowds, not because they think they will be that one in a million who lays hold on some deeply discounted and coveted prize that will fulfill their lives from here to eternity. They do it for the thrill. Others do it for the fun of being with friends and family. They find value in being out and about in the crowd; shopping, laughing and enjoying one another’s company. Admittedly, even I can see the value in that. Still, whenever I shop I tend to make a pit stop at the sweets shops along the way (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).
As I sit here gazing into twinkling lights, I feel just a tad bit excited about the days ahead. Like a child in anticipation of Christmas Day, I look forward the Christmas musicals, the holiday decorations, festive music and the scintillating aromas of the holiday season. And, as if I hadn’t already had more than my fill of turkey, dressing, eggnog and German chocolate cake, the atmosphere of this time of year causes me to yearn for more. By season’s end, my celebration will leave me exhausted from shopping and many pounds heavier (I should probably go to the health club on Monday).
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am struck by my own carnality. It is so easy to think of all the sights and sounds of this holiday season and not think as much about the original reason behind the season. There is something more bright than tinsel and twinkling lights. There is something more fulfilling than turkey and dressing. There is something to be sought more passionately than that one deeply discounted item. There is the Savior; the Messiah; the Lord of Hosts, who came from the heavenly realms into a world of gluttons and shoppers so that He might save all who believe. He purchased, for us, salvation for our souls. However, the cost was not by way of a deep discount. The cost was by way of the shedding of his blood and the giving of his life. He also offers truth in advertising (and not in fine print). Prominently displayed in his ad are the words:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
So, as we savor the holiday fare; as we enjoy Christmas musicals; as we shop till we drop and as we enjoy the company of friends and family, let us once again remind ourselves to set our sights on the Savior. Notwithstanding, we should also probably all make it a point to go to the health club on Monday…but we should make it our daily focus to go to the savior. Not only on Monday, but on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…(you get the idea).
With a belly filled with food; a mind filled with the sights and sounds of the holiday season and a soul satisfied with Jesus, this is from the Heart and Mind of Victor.
