Gone With the Wind Christmas

The Christmas season seems to start months in advance and feels like it comes around earlier and earlier every year. The tree goes up, lights and ornaments sparkle, decorations add to the wistfulness of the season. Goods are cooked, gifts are bought, presents are wrapped, and trees are loaded with surprises. The anticipation of it all boils up in overflowing excitement for one day... 

 Gifts are opened, wrapping paper scattered, excitement spews, laughter fills the room. The day, has finally come, gifts are finally unveiled, toys are finally 'mine' and play begins. Fun is finally underway. Tummies are finally full of Betty Crocker Scott cooking. There's a brief, momentary satisfaction in it all. 

 The happiness and high of Christmas seems to hover like a mist in the air as the 'fun of Christmas' lingers. Then in an unexpected instant, it's as if the wind blows and the sparkly high of Christmas is gone. Whisked away as the wrapping paper is gathered and trashed, the kids move on from toys to 'I'm hungry', the fun of a bead war is ended in Wyatt's victory, the yummy food is gone, decorations must come down, the sparkle fizzles...

 The sparkly high is brief, the happy laughter dies down, the mist of excitement isn't as thick, the family goes their separate ways, kids get sleepy, the new wears off quick, work days come back around, and what's left? 365 days to wait until the next 'Christmas high' blows through.

 In all of the excitement and holiday high, it's awe-mazing to see how the glittery 'things' of Christmas don't ever last. They come and go. Just like a vapor, a wind, a happiness that once caught...disappears. 

 As I sit and reflect in the fizzleness of the days after, I am reminded once again that the only Gift that never grows old, the only high of joy that remains, the only fullness that stays, the only true satisfaction that isn't swept away... is the gift of a baby in a manger. A baby that was given, lived, suffered, died, and gave everything, for me. A gift of a God baby that gave His life, to give me life, peace and hope for an eternity. He's the gift that gives again, again and again. The gift that doesn't fizzle, is always underserved and last forever and ever. Praise God for His true gift of everlasting Love in His Son on Christmas. Now that gift you don't have to wait 365 days to enjoy again...His grace is new every morning! He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Merry Christmas