Yes, it can be commercialized, but SO WHAT?!? There’s something about the Christmas season that is special. Yes, you have Chanukah, Kwaanza and a bunch of other holidays that vie for attention, but the Big Cheese of holidays is on Dec 25. Here are my 10 favorite things about the Advent season (anyone know what “Advent” means? Just taught it to my 5th grade Sunday School class!). Hope you get the Christmas fever just by reading the list:
1) Hard to beat God becoming man in order to not only save us from our sins, but to teach us a few things about God’s character as well as initiating his Kingdom.
2) The fact that so many parts of Jesus’ birth were predicted in the Bible hundreds of years before they occurred is still mind boggling. Being born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) are just a couple of doozies.
3) CHRISTMAS MOVIES! James Stewart! Bing Crosby!
4) Handel’s Messiah-is there a better piece of music ever composed? You may not even know that it doesn’t end with the “Hallelujah” chorus. There’s still another half hour of wondrous sounds!
5) The Charlie Brown Christmas! Thank God for Vince Guaraldi!
6) Tacky Christmas CDs. Sure, there are classics like Nat, Frank and Bing. But you’ve GOT to love Elvis as well, and even the country, bluegrass and jazz ones sound great. I have one with just a banjo and tuba that delivers a smoking take of “The 12 Days of Christmas!”
7) Nativity Scenes! I collect them from all over the world when I do medical mission trips, and have them displayed all over my office and house. Just got one from Alaska-Mary and Joseph are in an Igloo, surrounded by moose and polar bears. I’m still looking for a baseball one!
8) RED and GREEN! Poinsettas were conceived just for the holidays, and everyone looks fantastic in outfits and vests that would make the Von Trapp family jealous.
9) Egg Nog-with nutmeg, cinnamon, or whatever you want. I pour it into my waffle batter. WOW
10) “Peace on earth, and good will toward men with whom He is pleased.” Hard concept to beat.