Dear Friends in Christ:
“It’s called Christmas with a capital C.”
This is one of the latest modern songs out by a group called Go Fish. In a mixture of music, harmony, monologue, and song, the singing group boldly proclaims that we should certainly be singing “Merry Christmas” to each other and all; not “Happy Holidays.”
This has long been a season when we can easily be overcome by the commercial hype that has turned Christmas into a buying spree instead of one of our most important Christian celebrations.
In this present time, when our economy is recovering (but still down) I certainly urge everyone to stay within their means when purchasing Christmas gifts. It is not wise to go wild with spending and “putting it all on plastic” (that is, credit cards) only to feel that cost come crashing down on you in January and February.
Be wise, be alert, focus on the love of God in Christ made known to us in God’s wonderful gift in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Make sure to share the wonderful gift of special time spent with your family; those hours are priceless! Think of the times you remember about past celebrations of Christmas; these memories are almost always of special family moments, worship times, special gatherings. Rarely are they of things we get!
For everyone, but especially for families with children at home, make sure to have an Advent wreath or a single candle to light every evening at dinner time. Sing a verse of our traditional Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” before dinner, say a special Advent prayer. This is a great way to focus a little more on the spiritual, rather than the craziness.
May the peace of Christ be with you all as we make our preparations for our celebration of the birth of our Lord!
In Christ,
Pastor Thomas J. Pranschke
