As the song says, “In the air, there’s the feeling of Christmas.” I love Christmas because I get to see it through the eyes of my three young children. They turn Christmas music on first thing in the morning and make a date with their grandma to make sugar cookies. They work at my side in our local food pantry and are continually awed at how much more food is on the shelves this time of year. Even now they are discovering that Christmas brings the best out in people. They pick out their “angels” for Project Angel Tree and gather shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I love Christmas because I get to try new candy, cookie, and goody recipes for my family! I love Christmas because the bell ringers are faithful in their gentle reminder that someone needs me, us, you. We do make a difference. One dollar at a time. I love Christmas because, despite massive commercialism and all the political correctness in saying “Happy Holidays” and stripping courthouse lawns of nativity scenes, somehow we still haven’t managed to ruin the spirit of Christmas. I love Christmas because of the joy and hope that is Christmas. It was at this time that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. I love Christmas because Christmas is love. I don’t say that to trivialize anyone’s pain but rather because love and hope are still alive. If we are quiet or still long enough we can feel that love in the air. —Donna VanLiere Women Of Faith, Daily Gifts of Grace: Devotions for Each Day of Your Year (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012).
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