When we were much younger, we used to crowd on the big couch in our living room—all 8 of us—and have a contest looking at the lights of the Christmas tree and crossing our eyes.  By blurring our vision in such an unusual way,  it would feel as if the lights had surrounded us and somehow we were trapped in the tree.  We would all say the same thing, “I wish it were Christmas forever.”

There is something about the Christmas holidays which evokes feelings of peace, security, happiness and joy.  It is a time for family reunions, big meals, sweets galore and simple pleasures of contentment and satisfaction.  This sounds very nostalgic but it shouldn’t.  These feelings and experiences are the result of a faith which is very real—a faith that admits to a God who truly and deeply loves us.  He loves us constantly and perpetually—loving us to the point of becoming a man.  The Incarnation (what we celebrate at Christmas—God becoming man) tells the story of God’s love.  In the simplicity of the Manger, we experience the first fruits of our redemption—a redemption which heals a broken world and offers the promise of Eternal Life.

Christmas is almost here.  It’s never too late to see this Advent season through your Christian eyes.  Christmas is about Love.  Advent is about striving towards Love.  One week to go—no stress, right?