"God Bless Us, Everyone"

Admittedly, many of my posts could be construed as being rather cynical and sarcastic. I readily own the sarcasm, but would take some issue with the cynicism. Exposing the futility and hypocrisy in Christendom is not cynicism - it's realism.

Be that as it may, let this "positive" post be my gift to all who read it. Rest assured however, I will be ladling out healthy portions of "cynicism" soon enough.

Fortunately, the Christmas season still has a "magical" feel to it, and this feel has nothing to do with buying and selling stuff. It has all to do with family, memories, goodwill, and deference to our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. It is only through these blessings that we recognize God's love toward us. Blessings such as family, friends, food, music, visits, snow (where applicable), and church take on more meaning during the this season.

The "magic" is especially sweet for believers at this time of year; even the unsaved can get caught up in it (often, in spite of their own ignorance). The "magic" I refer to is the dynamic of thinking of others first and the spirit of giving that blossoms during the Christmas Season. The ignorance I refer to is of not understanding the genesis (pun intended), that spurs these "glad tidings". It's not tradition, or how you were raised, or the true "goodness" in people surfacing (you're kidding, right?!). It is that God has not allowed man to totally push him out of the picture, and therefore, Satan does not have free reign. He certainly roams, but he does not reign.

Most of the year God demonstrates his Grace and Presence via believers who live according to his commandments. During the Christmas Season he lets unbelievers in on the act. Obviously, not everyone gets into it. We're not in Paradise yet, so "...yes Virginia, there really is a Grinch." But you have to admit, the overall tone is much nicer.

We've all heard "...God so loved the world...", but during Christmas we get more of the "world loving God". Much of it may be posturing and based on sentiment more than anything else, but I still enjoy the vibe! So, tell someone "Merry Christmas", but remember that we all can claim the most awesome gift ever given: Jesus Christ. All we have to do is receive Him. If you haven't, ask, and start reading the instruction manual (it's called the Bible).