Early Christmas! What?

I went into a dollar store a few days ago and was quite unhappy to find that there were aisles and aisles of Halloween things out!  Spider web lights and creepy decorations and R.I.P. tombstones...  the list goes on and on.  Remember when we didn't celebrate Halloween?  Oh well.  I am finding that things simply change.  I choose not to decorate my house but that is my personal choice.

What disturbed me even more is that there were rows of Christmas decorations all over too!  I was completely shocked.  After thinking about it for a while, I had a moment of epiphany!  Why NOT put Christmas decorations out all year?  Jesus, the Christ, should be featured prominently every single day of the year.  As we see His name disappearing from the holiday that celebrates His birth, we should be excited to see the word "Christmas".  I am no longer upset about those decorations out this time of year.  Instead, it gives me a segue into the topic of Christ.  Here's the convo:

Cashier:  "Good Afternoon" in a normally flat, sometimes, happy, tone.

Me:  "Good Afternoon and Merry CHRISTmas".  I pronounce it with the long "i" sound so that it reflects His name.  "It's good that you guys haven't taken the reason for the season out of your merchandise.  I love Jesus.  Don't you?"  (Insert huge, warm smile here).

What a perfect opportunity to share the love of Christ!  No, not all cashiers or people standing around will be interested in what you have to say, but sometimes, just that little seed is enough to grow a huge tree.  You never know how people might perceive you and, more importantly, you never know WHAT someone needs.  You may be the only Jesus that cashier ever sees.

One little tip for you:  at the end of that very pleasant transaction where the love of Christ has radiated through you, you will be kind enough to wish that cashier a very blessed and wonderful day and leave with a giant smile.

Sharing Christ not only gives us an opportunity to share our faith, but it also lifts US up.

I said all that to say this:  Christmas should be out ALL YEAR LONG!  Christmas music is appropriate for ANY time of year.  Christ's birth should not be relegated to a couple of months a year.  Without that most amazing event, His life and resurrection whereby our sins were forgiven would not have taken place.  CELEBRATE!  Roll your windows down and sing Christmas songs at the top of your lungs!  Why?  Partly because you can (this is a free nation) and partly because His birth means the world to us!  Sing those songs with all your heart and soul and strength!

God is great and greatly to be praised no matter WHAT time of year it is!  I highly recommend creating your own CD that intersperses Christmas music with Easter music.  Both remind us of His sacrifice and give us JOY!

Now, CELEBRATE!  Sing with EXCEEDING GREAT JOY!  Christ has come! 

 

:::G:::