The children line up to tell Santa what they dream of for Christmas.
Now that Thanksgiving is over, we move rapidly toward Christmas, that beautiful and wonderful time when life takes on a magical air and we all, young and old alike, become a kid again, if only for a short period. The retail sales establishments, of course, have been planning for this event for months since it is so important to their bottom line at the end of the year. And while many started putting up displays in weather where we could often still wear shorts, the Christian calendar will begin the official season on a week from today, the First Sunday of Advent.
Perhaps nothing lightens up the eyes of a child more obviously than the annual trip to see Santa. The anticipation is in the air and the smiles are on their faces as they stand anxiously in line waiting for the opportunity to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what they truly want for Christmas. Sometimes the wait at the big establishments is for hours as parents and children live on the dream generation after generation. I's memorable, fun and just part of growing up, but it does bring with it a question that each of us should ponder and it's this:
WHERE' THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?
Think about that question and ponder it. We are willing to drive long distances, stand in line waiting for hours and all for the fun of watching our children have the opportunity for a short, personal visit with Santa. But at the same time, we often have difficulty finding the time to visit with Our Lord and Savior, the one whose birth far exceeds the magic and mystery of Santa as a back-up prop. We can find millions of excuses to use for not spending time with Jesus, yet we will jump over any hurdle for that illustrious visit with Santa. It just doesn't seem right because, frankly, it's not. We should be ashamed of ourselves.
A few years ago, a pretty young woman who is a gifted singer, Becky Kelley of St. Louis, performed a new song about this very subject. The title is the same as the question just posed: Where's the Line to See Jesus. It's a beautiful song and she sings it accompanied by her father, Steve, in a rendition that was adapted to video presentation on U-Tube. It tells us in word and picture just what I wrote about, only in a much more convincing fashion. So, I hope readers will listen to it and take the words to heart, for they are all so very true. And it's okay to carry on that tradition of visiting Santa and awaiting his visit, but just remember that we need to put the "Reason for the Season" first and that reason is Jesus' birthday. That event is what made Him both Man and God on this earth, to preach, teach and ultimately die on Calvary's Cross for our sins. Without the forgiveness that event gave us, we would have no hope for something after mortal life. With it, when we accept it, we gain Everlasting Life, a gift far more valuable than anything Santa or anyone other than Jesus can provide us. It is the ultimate gift that never dies.
Here's the link to the music. Just cut and past it into your browser. When it begins to play, it will start with an ad in song, so just hit the skip ad marker on the video and it will take you to Ms. Kelley's performance. I hope you'll find it moves you as much as it did me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY
If this doesn't get us in the proper holiday Spirit, I don't know what will. Be blessed.
Perhaps nothing lightens up the eyes of a child more obviously than the annual trip to see Santa. The anticipation is in the air and the smiles are on their faces as they stand anxiously in line waiting for the opportunity to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what they truly want for Christmas. Sometimes the wait at the big establishments is for hours as parents and children live on the dream generation after generation. I's memorable, fun and just part of growing up, but it does bring with it a question that each of us should ponder and it's this:
WHERE' THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?
Think about that question and ponder it. We are willing to drive long distances, stand in line waiting for hours and all for the fun of watching our children have the opportunity for a short, personal visit with Santa. But at the same time, we often have difficulty finding the time to visit with Our Lord and Savior, the one whose birth far exceeds the magic and mystery of Santa as a back-up prop. We can find millions of excuses to use for not spending time with Jesus, yet we will jump over any hurdle for that illustrious visit with Santa. It just doesn't seem right because, frankly, it's not. We should be ashamed of ourselves.
A few years ago, a pretty young woman who is a gifted singer, Becky Kelley of St. Louis, performed a new song about this very subject. The title is the same as the question just posed: Where's the Line to See Jesus. It's a beautiful song and she sings it accompanied by her father, Steve, in a rendition that was adapted to video presentation on U-Tube. It tells us in word and picture just what I wrote about, only in a much more convincing fashion. So, I hope readers will listen to it and take the words to heart, for they are all so very true. And it's okay to carry on that tradition of visiting Santa and awaiting his visit, but just remember that we need to put the "Reason for the Season" first and that reason is Jesus' birthday. That event is what made Him both Man and God on this earth, to preach, teach and ultimately die on Calvary's Cross for our sins. Without the forgiveness that event gave us, we would have no hope for something after mortal life. With it, when we accept it, we gain Everlasting Life, a gift far more valuable than anything Santa or anyone other than Jesus can provide us. It is the ultimate gift that never dies.
Here's the link to the music. Just cut and past it into your browser. When it begins to play, it will start with an ad in song, so just hit the skip ad marker on the video and it will take you to Ms. Kelley's performance. I hope you'll find it moves you as much as it did me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY
If this doesn't get us in the proper holiday Spirit, I don't know what will. Be blessed.
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