The Greatest Gift

Christmas has become really complicated. It's become a race against time... There are those folks who start early, displaying their Christmas spirit even before Thanksgiving. One brave neighbor turns on their outside lights, then another, then another...until the final procrastinator in the neighborhood digs his lights out of the shed and haphazardly staples them to the house once again. Then you have those who have a certain affection for inflatable lawn decor. It must be the Christmas spirit that allows the Grinch to sit amicably alongside Winnie the Pooh in a Santa hat. I don't really get it.
There are those who dash around, last-minute shopping, a crazed look in their eyes as the Target cart gets filled with various toys and trinkets. These are the folks who will literally take it to blows if it's the last Zhu Zhu pet on the shelf. Watch out for that crazed look, I'm telling you. Then you have those who have a plan to scope out the sales at a number of stores before making a selection. A method, a purpose. Not a dollar spent without painstaking consideration.
Good driving habits tend to suffer neglect this time of year also...I've noticed a few people waving hello very strangely...using only one finger instead of the entire hand. Weird. I've also noticed a few people who must believe that someone's yard is merely an extension of Cleveland Avenue, for if you can't get there fast enough in the lanes provided, why not just create your own? I overheard a frazzled mom in Meijer the other day too, trying to talk to her husband over her screaming, punching children. He was standing next to the chocolate chips, and she was trying to think (which is impossible when you have screaming, punching children) of how many bags she needed for cookies. She finally barked at him: "I have no idea, just get 8 bags and LET'S GO!" Eight bags? Is she having a bake sale? Probably not. She, like me, is probably just overwhelmed with the expectation and anxiety that has replaced the warm fuzzy feelings of goodwill. I'm not kidding, people...the Christmas rush, in my opinion, has gotten downright ridiculous.
Why have we let this happen? We're all somewhat guilty. I love our pretty tree, and the look on my kids' faces when they open the "just what I wanted" gift.
I worked really hard, though, this year, to remind myself of the true meaning of Christmas.
The old familiar tale, in my opinion, is most beautifully summarized as Linus VanPelt quotes the book of Luke:
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Magi appeared from distant Persia, partly because of curiosity brewing over the rumored birth of a child who would be the Savior, and partly because they just couldn't take their eyes off of this unbelievably radiant star that led the way to the manger. The three magnificently dressed Kings bestowed Frankincense, Gold and Myrhh at the lowly manger of this newborn.
I consider this to be the first message to us, present day, that we are to continue to show our wonder and admiration for Christ by bestowing our gifts at His feet. When we consider all the hype and gift-giving and money spending and chaos, it sets ya back a little when you consider how simply Christmas all began... in a dirty cave that made shelter for a frightened mother who, with no medical assistance, drugs, or even sanitary conditions gave birth to a child who would save us all. So at this Christmastime, I hope we can all think of the greatest gift of all...the gift we received that night, when God gave us His son.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA