In 1963 Dean Martin made the Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” a hit.  The song of course touched on almost all of the wonders of the holiday season like jingle belling, holiday greetings, happy meetings, toasting marsh mellows, caroling in the snow, mistle toeing, hearts glowing, good cheer and loved ones near. I have always loved this song because all of those things are great reasons for celebration.  Who doesn’t love good cheer and happy meetings?  Most of us like jingle bells, caroling and mistle toeing too and depending on how your family gets along, the presence of loved ones can be a blessing as well.

For me, Christmas has been a wonderful time, but I have always had plenty to eat, presents under the tree, a loving family and no turmoil or drama that often accompanies the stress of holidays for some. This song does miss the mark though.  While these things are all wonderful in their own way, they are certainly not what makes Christmas “the most wonderful time of the year”.

I’m sure you all know where I am going with this.   It’s the most wonderful time of the year because of why we celebrate Christmas.  We received the perfect gift arriving in the form of a baby.  This gift was prophesized many times in the Old Testament.  In Jeremiah 23: 5-6 we remember these words:  The days are coming declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. This is the name by which he will be called the Lord, our righteous savior.

I feel so blessed my parents always made sure we understood the true meaning of Christmas. In addition to attending church regularly, we took part in school programs and concerts, Sunday school programs, attended Christmas Eve services along with our extended family and our Luther League groups went caroling and entertained in the nursing home.  We made goodies and gifts we shared with neighbors and invited people to our home for the holidays who would have otherwise been alone. While we always received more than we deserved, Christmas was made even more special by what we learned to do for others. This Christmas and this year especially, we don’t need more stuff. We need more healing, kindness and love between one another.  The birth of the babe in Bethlehem makes everyday wonderful because through his birth we are given the promise of grace and everlasting life.  God loves us unconditionally and because of that love, he gave us the most wonderful Christmas gift ever…Jesus Christ

Patti