So this is Christmas….

Can you believe how quickly this year has passed? It is always　interesting to look back on a year of change. Some of the days have been hectic, others contained heartbreak, but beyond any measure, our days have been filled with Hope.
Several years ago, while driving to my parents place for the Christmas festivities, I set the digital radio dial for the seasonal “Christmas Channel”, after all, the kids really enjoy listening and singing along. Oh, alright, even the big kids enjoy it too! Do you remember those days? Nothing seems to bring out the kid in us like sharing these special times together with our children. During the travel, I remember one song in particular that so profoundly affected me when I heard it. Have you ever encountered a song like this? I heard of a child that was in the hospital for a week during the month of December and her father would sing to her “Silent Night” as it seemed to bring her great comfort in the midst of her fear. To this very day, whenever this father and daughter hear “Silent Night”, they both get teary-eyed. The Christmas song that I heard while traveling in the car that day, had a similar affect on me. Here are some of the lyrics;
 
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun”
 
 Hearing these lyric while approaching Christmas and the New Year (which will bring fresh beginnings), causes me to acknowledge my mortal makeup and perhaps even question my effectiveness. In order to make 2010 a fruitful year, live your life so as not to be hung up on regrets and embittered from missed opportunities and wasted time. Remember, God has a plan for each of our lives and being too busy is not part of it. My friend, stop for a moment and reassess your priorities. Get involved with cutting away the things that drag you down and be alert in order to meet the demands of every hour that you might make the most of every opportunity.
 
Have a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year,
Rev. Richard Vincent