Christmas. Just another day?

Christmas is celebrated in different ways and variations almost everywhere in the entire world. For some it is about giving gifts, some about getting gifts, some about the birth of a Savior. Families get together for huge celebrations filled with food and games. Children looked forward to Santa coming to deliver gifts. Families come up with their own traditions and practice traditions that have been around for years. Everyone loves to say, "Jesus is the reason for the season," but shouldn't he be the reason for life every single day? I have been reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and although I'm a little behind in jumping on the bandwagon, it has absolutely changed my life and the way I see the world around me. We are commanded to love God more than ANYTHING else, even all of the nice watches and clothes we receive on Christmas morning. We say that Christmas Day is a day to celebrate the birth of a savior, but that's what he gave us life for. Our ONLY job here on Earth is to spread love and the knowledge of the savior. Our jobs don't matter, what we wear doesn't matter, what we eat doesn't matter. All that matters is how we serve our God day in and day out. While Christmas is one of my favorite days of the year, this year it has meant something different. None of the gifts excited me as much as being with my family or seeing my paralyzed grandpa move his shoulder. I owed all of the things that happened today to the Lord and I hope to treat every day like it's Christmas day and I encourage you to do the same. We should wish Jesus a Happy Birthday every morning that we wake up to a new day and a clean slate.

Thank God

"Thank God" is a phrase tossed around a million times a day by a million different people. Most people probably don't even think about what it means when they say it. It might be sincere thankfulness in some cases while it might not mean anything in others. You find out you made an A on your final-- "Thank God." A shirt comes in your size-- "Thank God." The girl you don't like won't be at the gathering you are going to-- "Thank God." See, we toss the phrase around like it's nothing. Don't you think that offends God just a little that you're using his name for a silly phrase instead of true worship and thankfulness? On the other hand, a woman in an intensive care unit finding out her husband will make it through the night cries, "Thank God!" and absolutely means it. Next time you find yourself in a situation that requires you to thank God, even if it is minor, be sure to say it and mean it. When addressing the Father of the Universe, we all could be a little more respectful. Think about who you're talking to when you start to pray, He's a pretty big deal.