Putting The Merry Back In Christmas

The following was a post by a local radio station on facebook.

This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of time of the year,

 but for some it is not. What are you doing to truly enjoy the Christmas season?

Well, let's see.

First, I'm being honest about things. Being tight on Christmas funds is nothing new for us, but this year is notably different. I refuse to spend an unemployment check on gifts (besides, seeing as how I just put fifty bucks worth of gasoline in my vehicle and the water bill is due, there wouldn't be a whole lot of fun money left anyway). What we will spend will come out of our savings and, no news flash here, I will not drain that account to appease anybody. Thankfully, I'm in luck. My parents love anything to do with our kids, our kids love anything we give them, and my husband loves me. I can count on one hand the others I have already bought a gift for and the rest of the clan (neighbors, acquaintances, and such) will get some homemade goodies straight from my kitchen.

Second, I am surrounded by Christmas cheer. Remember that post about the husband's new found purpose to decorate? Well, he didn't complete everything he had on that original list, but our home is very festive nonetheless. You can't help but hum a little tune of Jingle Bells when you walk through the front door. Plus, last week I fixed a ham for supper one night and just for kicks pulled out the good china. Nothing says good mood like eating what feels like a fancy dinner on an ordinary week night. Today I used that leftover ham and fixed a soup that my husband deemed grandpa worthy (older-than-dirt family recipe) and let my girl whip up some chocolate-covered pretzels. Nothing says Christmas more than sweet and salty snacks.

Finally, and I guess this is the most obvious, I think about why we have this season anyway. I can never think of Christmas without thinking of Easter and how a baby in a manger ended up a man on a cross. December will come and go, gifts received will eventually become nothing more than memories, and sooner or later we will all have our fill of fudge and frosted cookies. We will continue to pay too much for gas and try to cut back on the water bill and pray the new year brings employment. Life goes on no matter what the holiday may be. Through it all, I am comforted by what I know to be true. He is not a baby in a manger anymore and He is most definitely not a man still on a cross.

He Is My Resurrected Savior.
My Soon-To-Be Coming King.
The Only Reason For The Season.

And in Him I find enjoyment.