Christmas is certainly in the air . . . along with all the stuff (good and bad) that accompanies the Christmas season.

The good (from my perspective):

• Christmas cookies
• Christmas lights
• Smell of the Christmas tree
• Chick-Fil-A peppermint milkshakes
• Christmas carols
• Staff/Deacon Christmas party and gift exchange
• Presents
• More presents
• Time with family
• Elf - The Movie
• 24-7 Christmas music on radio

The bad (from my perspective):

• Everyone in a hurry
• Fat guys in red suits everywhere
• Regular TV shows on pause til January
• Guy with no pants and corn cob pipe in front yards
• Hallmark movies that Brenda forces me to watch
• Crazy traffic
• UPS guy knocking and waking me from power nap
• "Baby It's Cold Outside" becoming an offensive song
• Baby, it's NOT cold outside - warm Florida weather

And so much more . . . 

But I do love Christmas and the Christmas account of Christ's birth as told in God's word. Yes, the "Christmas account".

I know this is splitting hairs, but let me share this: I have always referred to the story of the Virgin Mary giving birth to the Christ child in Bethlehem as the "Christmas story". The story of angels, shepherds, wise men, and a star. The story of a manger and "no room in the inn". A story of celebration because our Messiah had come.

But today, by calling this a "story", I am fearful that we may be relegating it to the same level as other Christmas stories, like the story of Santa Claus, or Frosty the Snowman, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or the Grinch That Stole Christmas. I think you get the idea.

You see, the birth of our Savior is not just a "story". It's an account of facts. A real event in history. A real time with real people with real shepherds and real stars and real wise men. 

YES, Christmas is real - not a story. It's real and not made up. It's really true!

So maybe this year, somehow, someway . . .  make sure that as you talk about the Christmas story - the birth of Jesus our Savior - it's clear that you are talking about reality. About an account from history that is true and not make-believe. We have lots of fun Christmas stories, but only one account of our Savior's birth. Read about it in Luke 1-3.

Ok, that's my thought for today.

Merry Christmas and I hope to see you this Sunday at 10am to worship Christ, the real reason for the season.

Pastor Paul