Luke 2:4-7 – “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  NKJV

Although I try to avoid last-minute shopping at any time, I especially avoid it during the Christmas season.  I absolutely abhor the commercialization that has frequently stolen the true meaning of Christmas from hearts.  I love seeing children with their eyes gleaming and encountering people who have a heart and spirit of love and generosity.  The contrast that weighs heavily on my heart is those who are focused on self, enduring the season out of obligation, and the Scrooge mentality that goes around “Bah Humbug.”

As I often do, I reflect on my childhood and the childhood of my children to draw my precious memories about Christmas.  We grew up poor but because virtually everyone around us was in the same condition we did not notice and were not truly aware of our lack.  We had loving parents and grandparents whose love and care overshadowed any lack.  We would usually get one present for Christmas and were grateful and appreciative of that item whether a toy pistol, a truck or whatever it was.  The cost of the item might have been $5-10 but brought a million dollars of joy to our hearts.  We had love and that made Christmas special.

I wrote the simple verse below out of my heart’s cry for a return to celebrating the Reason for the Season” and what I pray for.  May God bless you on this Christmas Eve and may your celebrations be filled with love, peace, joy, and gratitude.  May you remember who it is that we are truly celebrating and what His birth, life, and death brought to mankind! 

When Christmas Lives In The Human Heart

Each year when autumn recedes into winters fold

 With some hearts merry and some hard and cold,

There is a season that December brings

Children, toys, and glistening things.

Cynical commercialism got its start

When Christmas was banished from the human heart.

When men remember the meaning of this celebration

Moving past the politically correct deliberation,

We find that relations between classes of men

Bring peace and freedom again and again.

Love and Joy are given a new start

When Christmas lives in the human heart.

Decorations, festivities, gifts, food, and caroling

Can make the heart of man rise up and sing.

When there is caring and charity within

Christmas begins to truly live again.

Men are united rather than torn apart

When Christmas lives in the human heart.

© Roy Beaird – December 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS!