Wednesday, December 14, 2011

What An Amazing Opportunity!



   It surely is aggravating when Christmas and New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. As I reflect on the history of my life, I am reminded that having these holidays on Sunday puts a type of “wrench” into your normal, traditional actions on these days, especially Christmas Day. Christmas Day is about ripping open packages and eating and being with your family and eating again. It is about decorations and traveling and memories and sweet smiles on the faces of our children. It is a special “once a year” time that allows families and friends to be together, sometimes when they do not see each other any other time of the year. Christmas is a special time and I love it. That “Christmas on Sunday” really only happens about once every 5-7 years. It can be a “burden” to my plans and a “wrench” to my traditional activities, but it is not every year.

            But…wait…

   Perhaps I’ve been looking at this wrong all along. Perhaps I have failed to appreciate the “amazing opportunity” that has been presented.  On Sunday, December 25, and January 1 for that matter, we have a very special opportunity to “practice what we preach.” Can you think of a better circumstance to make clear to your family what really matters most? You have an opportunity to make a statement to your children that can last a lifetime. While their friends in the neighborhood are riding their new bikes and playing with their toys, you are showing your children that nothing, and you mean absolutely nothing, takes precedent over your commitment to God, and the church. I do not know if our children and teen agers will remember one thing from their Bible class and worship service on that day. In fact, it is very likely there will be some “disappointed” children having to put their toys down as they get in the car and head to the church building. But, you are providing them a memory of what mama and daddy put first. That is absolutely “priceless.” By the way, in the “bringing up” of your children, this roll of the calendar to a Sunday Christmas will only happen a handful of times. Please do not waste the “amazing opportunity” that is there for you this year. I said earlier in this article you will have an opportunity to make a statement to your children that will last a lifetime. The truth is, you are going to make that statement, one way or the other.

May God bless you and yours in all you do.
~Clark

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteusness”
Matthew 6:33

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