Most of us enjoy receiving gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation and many other occasions. As we approach Christmas, many will look forward to receiving gifts. The sad part about Christmas today is our society has forgotten that we have received the greatest gift anyone could receive. That gift is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of the love of God, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ down to us as a gift of redemption for our sins. This is the true Christmas story. Down through the ages, people have commercialized and diminished the true meaning of the season. As early as October, we see the advertisements for Christmas which now has been transformed into Happy Holidays. I believe that the main reason for this is “greed”, a tool of the devil. Just look at the scenes of what is referred to as Black Friday. This is what happens when you take “Christ” out Christmas and “Happy” out of Holidays. Either way it is a loser. Look at what dominates the season, Santa, cartoon characters and other objects. It is rare if you see manger scenes or religious signs of the real reason for Christmas. I see more and more eliminations of the what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Today, Halloween ( a pagan holiday) is getting more and more participation and attention. Christmas in the end has a lot more to offer.
We can ignore the true meaning of Christmas and the eternal gift God sent to us sinners or we can receive His gift and enjoy an everlasting love, peace and joy. Will you consider receiving the only true gift a person can receive, Jesus as your personal Savior? Believe me when I say there is no better gift for it is a gift that is eternal.

Love to all and Merry Christmas.

Dean Stuyvesant