Christmas Day is but three days away! This is the time to be merry, it’s the time to be jolly.
It’s also the time to be spiritual, as local pastors frequently remind us is the reason for the season.
It is an important time of year for most people across the nation and throughout the world. It’s the time of year when people enjoy reflecting on what has taken place over the past 12 months.
It’s the season to really take extra time and be with family. Christmas Day gives us the opportunity to finally relax and be with those we love the most.
It provides a time for us to enjoy family and friends.
And keep in mind we are fortunate to live in a country that provides us the freedoms we have.
It’s good to be mindful, if we are fortunate to be with our loved ones on this day, that there are those who are away from their families. It may be because they are working in law enforcement, or another first responder occupation, maybe in a hospital or some other critical job.
We should never forget our military men and women who are out there in some far away country who could be in harm’s away at any moment just as are those in other critical occupations.
For those of us fortunate enough to be at home or in the home of loved ones let us enjoy one another’s company, remembering how blessed we are this holiday season.
I wish those traveling to be safe and careful. Weather forecasters keep predicting that much of the nation could be in an extreme deep freeze for the next several days. Be cautious and remain alert. Life is precious and we sometimes forget that at Christmas.
This season provides an opportunity to focus on the positives we have experienced throughout the year. To learn from some of the difficulties we’ve overcome.
Many families, especially those with young children, will open presents either on Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning. There will be family gatherings for large or small dinners, gift exchanges, great conversation, and spending time to just enjoy one another’s company.
Pat and I will celebrate it with family members on Christmas Eve. We look forward to spending it with our daughter Meghan, son-in-law Terry and little four-old grandson Liam.
Think about what is most important in our lives. Hopefully, for most of us that answer is “our family.”
The Christmas season is perfect to enhance our spiritual lives as well, no matter what your faith may or may not be. It gives us a time to be more prayerful, mindful of the real reason for the season.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the distractions. What’s hard is overcoming that.
It’s not to say we shouldn’t have a wonderful time and lots of fun at this time of year. The season itself brings out joy.
I hope everyone has a Merry and very Blessed Christmas and wonderful New Year!