Christmas Is Coming Ready or Not

Christmas—Coming Ready or Not
Thurmon Harris
December 3, 2010
We kids, students at Beechland one-room school many years ago, at recess sometimes played hide-and-seek. The one who was “it” would hide their eyes and count to 100 while the other kids ran to their hiding places. Then “it” would shout out, “Coming, ready or not.” Well, that describes Christmas. It is coming whether I am ready or not.

This morning, I decided that I should make at least some minor effort to get into the spirit of this holiday season if properly understood is true celebration of Christ being born into the world. The one word that for me best summarizes it for me is “Giving.” “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). I realize that if I want to celebrate Christmas to please our Savior I must give gifts. Gifts should be given out of a heart filled with Christ’s love.
I missed Black Friday. Peggy got up sometime in the night and headed out and came back with some bargain buys. I have no idea what they are. I slept right through resting in peace while hundreds, even thousands shoved and crowded their way into stores and began grabbing the gifts they were coveting in their hearts. I even heard some people were cursing and swearing and stealing things right out of others shopping carts. I can’t imagine doing that. Isn’t that opposite of the true Christmas Spirit?

So, today, lest I inadvertently allow the Season to pass me by without entering into the spirit of it as I believe every Christian should, I decided to try my hand at bringing a bit of the Spirit of cheer to someone. In doing so, I knew I would be the one cheered the most.

I went to the mall solely for the purpose of walking to get some much needed exercise. I took along a few coins to move from one pocket to the other to count my laps. As I was on my last two laps, I spotted two mothers with their small children treating them to rides on the little kiddie rides. I stopped, spoke to one of the mothers and handed her a few quarters to keep the ride going. She thanked me and told her precious ones to thank me. They did, and it lifted my spirits. When I returned I stopped momentarily and handed my remaining quarters to the other mother with two very small children riding in the little toy space ship. When I left the mall I felt better for the small gifts I had given.

I came home and decided to visit a very saintly, precious lady in a Nursing Home. I served as her pastor at Providence some 15 years ago. As I parked at the Home a minivan filled with folks from Crofton Baptist Church was unloading. Santa led the way followed by several folks dressed as elves and reindeer. I asked one of the ladies if they go to other Nursing Homes to present their program. She said that they do. I commented that it is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas. What better way to get into the true spirit of Christmas than bringing smiles and cheer to those residents.

Mattie is bedfast, but has a wonderful spirit. I hadn’t seen her in several months. I send her a copy of my sermon every week. She loves to get them. As is so often the case, I left feeling that I was the one blessed by her. I told her that I will return and bring pictures of our trip to Tanzania. She is looking forward to that.
With Christmas being only 22 days away, I hope I can give a little something to someone every day, because giving is God’s thing. I want it to be my thing too. Christmas is coming, ready or not. I want to be ready, don’t you? Honestly, I want to celebrate it the year around.