It is as the song says, Christmas time is here.  Just go for a tour of any major shopping area should you doubt that.  My local area looked more like a very large bumper car game today.  It's my good fortune that the trip was just a last minute check before all of the festivities.  All of the groceries are in their place awaiting the next meal.  Gifts are wrapped even though my youngest tends to sneak a peek through the wrapping paper.  His impatience grows while wondering where his presents may be hidden.  Dad reminded him that he tends to start a bit early on the opening of packages.  Tomorrow he will find all of his stuff tucked away beneath the tree.  He will still probably try to see what it is but we got this far at least.

Charlie Brown struggled with all of this holiday preparation years ago.  His world was not far different than ours.  Searching for an answer proved to be a time consuming event.  Nothing seemed to answer his desire for something deeper during the season.  I don't know if you understand that feeling.  Emptiness is part of the risk of this holiday.  Christmas can bring out the worst in us without warning.  We may listen to the music all the while fuming about the lack of a parking space.  You rush into the store with a warm heart only to have a cold salesperson threaten to take it from you.  Even your home can lose its safe haven idea if people come by who may not be high on your wish list.  I probably said it too much the last few weeks but just be sure that Christmas can be hazardous to your health.

Linus reminds us that Christmas is both eternal and cosmic.  God steps into our world in that manger long ago.  Shepherds would hear the very first announcement of the birth.  You may not know that shepherds were a long way down on the social status ladder.  They were outcasts in many respects.  A shepherd could not even go into the temple for worship because of their job.  Most people viewed them as unclean reprobates with no present or future.  This makes the angelic appearance even more amazing.  God's great gift at Christmas was good tidings for the shepherds also.  Jesus would not be beyond their reach.  God comes to embrace even the lowliest of people. 

Remember that all of this activity is to celebrate Him.  We give presents as an expression of God giving us the very best gift ever.  Even the worst parts of the season can serve as a reminder of just how much we do need Jesus.  Lapses of attitudes or actions point us back to our need for the peace angels promised.  My hope is that we see through all the preparation to the heart of the holiday.  Let's be more like shepherds who hear what God is saying.  Don't be so overwhelmed that you leave no room for Jesus this weekend much less at any other time.

Bro. Trey