Prodigal Magazine

The lights are aglow and the festiveness has almost reached its’ pinnacle.  It is finally here.  Christmas has come around again and as we exchange our gifts and spend time with family and friends, we are given another opportunity to enjoy that which God has blessed each one of us with; that blessing is life.  Whether rich or poor, we must be thankful for the fact that we are alive and have these moments to share with people who are a huge part of our lives.

                For years, Christmas has been a time of giving and receiving, for which I had a deep love for both aspects.  I love shopping for people and trying to pick out something that would bring a smile to their face, if only for a moment.  It was a time for trying to reach out to them with what I had blessed with and attempt to show them the depth of the feelings that I held for them.  The receiving part was great as well, as my mother, my father, and my sister always did things for me that I didn’t even dream were possible.

                This year, we have faced tough economic times.  As a newlywed, I longed to give my wife the perfect Christmas our first year but with finances tight, I looked for ways to do things for her throughout the season that would mean more to her than just a gift under the tree.  I unlocked a mystery in this process, one that I vow to never let go of throughout my time here on earth.  It was simply being with her that was a gift for me that God gave me a loving and beautiful wife, and it was spending time with her that was the gift for her.  It took no effort only a refocusing off of work and material possessions and focusing on what God has given us.  He gave us each other.

                I found also that the time with my family was more rewarding too.  We are given these opportunities to just enjoy each other, yet dates on the calendar continue and we neglect to embrace those moments.  These times, we all must remember, are not guarantees; they are simply the gift of the Almighty God.  The Bible says, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)  This reminds us to take it all in and absorb the sights, the sounds, and the feeling that we have at this time of the year.

                We take time to be with those we love and we must remember to take the time to spend with God during these days.  He gives to us every day, not just once a year.  Psalm 3:5 says, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.”  He gives us the gift of life and the gift of time.  It is in the midst of these moments that we have to embrace the peace God provides, accept the love that He offers, and be thankful that we were given this day, this season, and these moments.