Flip the Calendar - December is Here!

Today is the first of the month. Its time to flip the calendar from November to December. Fall is over and we are moving into winter (and out of hurricane season too).

It also means the countdown to Christmas has begun. It is the celebration of the coming of Christ. It is the time to remember that Christ came to earth to offer salvation and peace to anyone who will accept. (We must also not forget that Christ is coming again.)

I want to get into the spirit of the season this year. It has been tough to think it about it though. The past several months with the economy, negative news, and terrorist attacks internationally has driven me to a depressed state. I realized in church yesterday that I have let world dampen my spirit.

Over Thanksgiving I contemplated talking to my parents about scaling back on giving this year. They are concerned with the economy (and their savings taking a hit) but they are looking forward to the Christmas season.

So I hung some lights on my house yesterday, started some Christmas shopping (to the help the economy too!), and looked at Christmas trees at Publix (where shopping is a pleasure). The cooler temperatures we have already seen also help get me into the spirit. (Shorts on Christmas day do not do it for me - I could not live in the southern hemisphere.)

Remember the reasons for the season - it is about giving. Just as Christ came to give, we should give as well. Look around and see who you can give to this season.