Celebrate The Day

Jesus is the reason for the season, indeed. And we have wrapped all kinds of celebrations around it from gift giving, devouring turkeys and hams to visiting family. This holiday celebrating the greatest gift of all comes with all the Christmas trimmings in green and red, with garland, ornaments and strings of lights around the tree, Christmas cards hanging on the wall, mistletoe dripping from the threshold and a manger scene depicting visits by shepherds and wise men to an Infant Messiah. Twinkling lights in every neighborhood herald this celebration each year. Christmas is truly magical.

But its the simple things about this holiday that bring the sweetest smiles to our faces. Remembering children reading a note from Santa sitting next to half eaten cookies by the fireplace. Blinding lights from movie cameras of the '60s and '70s as we walked down stairs squinting to see our gifts under the tree. It's tennis between a daughter's love and her Daddy and brother. It's graham cracker houses slathered with icing and candy. It's visits with family, laughter, bountiful feasts and piles of sparkly wrapping paper. It's the best birthday party ever, and rightfully so should be celebrated big and remembered in the little things.

This is truly a time for rejoicing! A time to "Go Tell It On The Mountain." Jesus Christ is born! And because of that, we are reborn! Glory to the newborn King.

Have a Merry Christmas. Enjoy the 24 hours of this day's celebration, but don't forget to stay on the mountain top for the other 364 days of the year. Today is about Jesus. But honestly, so is everything else. Praying your holiday is a happy one We are excited that next year on this date, you will be celebrating your first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goggin. God bless!

Discussion: What are the magical moments of Christmas for you?

Prayer: Happy Birthday to Jesus! We love You, Lord! We celebrate and glorify You! We pray, Father, for the hurting and healing this day and ask that you give them joy, strength and comfort. We sing with the angels "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men." In the name of God with us, Amen.