I think anyone who has known me for more than a week or two probably knows that Thanksgiving is by far my favorite day of the year. I don't think that there could be one thing to make it any better than it already is. I mean, it's all about BEING GRATEFUL, which I think is about the height of all human emotion. What I mean is, I feel that the end result of loving and being loved, feeling inspired, feeling joy, knowing you have been saved or redeemed, or just realizing how wonderful it is to be alive brings about such a deep sense of gratefullness, thankfullness. I know that at every great moment of my life, big and small, I have felt profoundly thankfull. I forget who said it (it might have been Lewis or Chesterton), but someone nailed it when they said that the worst moment for an atheist is when he is truly thankfull, but has no one to thank. Thank you Father, thank you for everything.
With all of that being said, I have to say that Christmas is by far one of my least favorite holidays. I have to admit that I do very much enjoy getting good presents (particurally from my mom these days, who seems very intent on spending a lot of money on her kids), and even giving them, particurally when I find something that I think will be just perfect for someone. But I still feel all wrapped up in greed around this time. It's difficult not to hear all of the commercials, telling you you need to spend a lot, that how much you spend on someone tells them how much you love them. And I start thinking about all of the great stuff I'll be getting.
My family is pretty bad about the whole thing too. We all seem to spend more than we want to around this time. It's hard for me to focus much on the "reason for the season", when I spend so much time thinking about presents I'll be getting and giving, and all of the money. Every year I want to say, "Hey, lets just forgo gifts this year. Or maybe draw names. Or maybe even give to charities instead." But of course we never do. And part of it I'm sure is my greed.
I'll be driving down to Juarez again this Christmas day, the third time in a row. I love my family and all, but honestly I really like escaping to Mexico to build some houses around this time (I'm not much of a New Year's Eve fan either, it never lives up to the hype. Of course I'm not much of a partyer, so that probably has something to do with it).
Despite how it might sound, I think I'm actually enjoying the Christmas season more this year than usual. I have been listening to quite a bit of Christmas music (93.9 all christmas, all the time), and getting a bit nostalgic. I honestly have to say that I think part of it is because I'm not around my family much right now. I haven't felt overly compelled to join the feeding frenzy that is christmas shopping (though I did just about finish it all today in about an hour).
See, now that is one of the things that makes Thanksgiving all the better. It is a holiday that makes me think of my family, and want to be around my family. Family, friends, food, football. Four of the great things about Thanksgiving. And an aliteration, how convienent and wonderful.
So in honor of my favorite holiday, I want to say that I am, despite all appearances, thankful for Christmas. I'm thankful for the music, the traditions, the memories, the presents, and the egg nog. But most of all I'm thankful for the God who loved enough to come and experience the worst we had to offer, so that He could spend the best He has to offer with you, and with me.
Merry Christmas
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment