The Most Wonderful Time
Mike Quimby
I really love this season. And so often I really do feel it is The Most Wonderful Time. The twinkling lights, Christmas music and carols, giving and receiving presents, time with family and friends, decking the halls, Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties, sending Christmas cards, remembering to move the Elf, Christmas cookies, special dinners, concerts, Christmas pageants and so much more!
However, I feel sometimes I get too caught up in my “to do” list or the hustle and bustle of it all. I have found myself a couple times this Christmas season feeling a nudge to sit down and read some books with my kiddos or make some homemade ornaments with them. Precious moments which certainly become the memories we cherish most. I am 34 and as I reflect back on special Christmases, the moments I savor have nothing to do with presents but moments. I loved being in the kitchen with my daddy. I loved decorating cookies with my grandma. I loved driving home from church Christmas Eve in the snow. I loved singing Silent Night while lifting my candle up at church. I loved watching A Charlie Brown Christmas and I loved making advent wreathes and homemade ornaments with my family.
Mike and I do the 12 Days of Christmas. Each night we give one another a small gift. For example we give candy, candles, a chapstick or socks! It’s a fun little tradition we started years ago. The other night he gave me a book entitled “A Treasury of Christmas Miracles” by Karen Kingsbury. It is filled with short stories of God’s Presence. Needless to say I loved my present!!! So much so he did not realize I had bought them for presents for many of my friends! I do not want to miss for a moment what this whole season centers around and the reason for it all. A baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger. God sent US His One and Only Son to be here on Earth with us. To live with us and to experience this world with all of its trouble, pain and joy. It is hard for my mind to comprehend the Creator of the Universe becoming human. The One who separated the waters on Earth and placed every star in the sky. The One who walked upon this planet and never made any mistakes. He lived a sinless life. A man who loved above all else and gave His life for a world that had no idea of the gift they were being given.
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He gave up His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
That gift is available to us at any time in our lives. And it’s free! Yet it is the best present we can ever receive here on this Earth. It is my deepest hope that if you have not asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life you will do so this Christmas. I promise accepting this gift will forever change your life.
If you want the special gift of Jesus you can pray this simple prayer:
God I know I have made mistakes in my life. Please forgive me. I believe you are the Son of God. I believe you died on a cross to save me from my sins. I believe you ascended into heaven and one day you are coming back again. Lord help me live a life which is pleasing to you. Thank you for loving me.
If you prayed that prayer for the first time please let us know! We would love to pray for you and help you get connected to the community of faith!
Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you. May it be a time filled with peace and joy. Blessings and warm wishes.
