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It is Christmastime
Pastor's corner
pastor corner

Christmas is a lot of fun.

When I was much younger, I would think about all of the fun things I’d get. I would make my list and keep reminding my parents of what was on that list. For good measure I would drop hints and even get my sisters to help in the plot.

Then as I grew older I would tend to think about all of the fun times I’ve had. Christmas is a time for memories, looking back with signs of satisfaction and some longing, and looking ahead to all of the precious moments to be made.

Most of all, though, it’s always the right time to pause and focus heart and mind and soul on Jesus as the reason for the season.

When I think about Christmas, I remember driving from North Carolina with kids in tow to my in-laws’ house in Lyons. It was always one of those miracles of Christmas, arriving with the children alive, or not stopping and leaving one of them beside the road.

And I remember that special book that my family — along with every other families — kept so prominently displayed in preparation for the big day. Every family had one. And every family cherished it, adored it and searched its pages to fill the holiday with meaning. No, I’m not talking about the Bible. I’m talking about the Sears Christmas catalog.

My parents struggled in those days as most sharecroppers did, but somehow they would always come up with those items we had circled, highlighted and marked for them in the Sears Christmas catalog. But no matter how much we had or got, I never recall a bad Christmas because my family would always be together to open all of our gifts.

Around this time of the year, wonder, love and praise fill my spirit. I think of fun things. I think of fun times. But most of all, I think of Jesus. Because of Jesus, I really enjoy thinking back and forth. Because of Jesus, I know those fun things and times are how his people have celebrated his birth into their lives. Because of Jesus, I’ll always have all I want for Christmas.

What are you thinking about today? Fun things? Fun times? When you think about Christmas, what do you think about? God wants us to remember the fun things and fun times. When we think of them, we think of him. Jesus has always been why we had them. And Jesus will keep them coming.

All of the fun things and fun times of Christmas remind us that the greatest gift of God himself was Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That’s why we’ve got all we want for Christmas through him.

Merry Christmas!

Harn is the pastor of Victory Assembly of God and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.

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