12/22/2017
Here we are again with Christmas right around the corner. We can’t put it off, It’s coming whether we’re ready or not…. So are you ready?
What does that mean? What do you need to do to be ready for Christmas?
For most of us it means the shopping’s done, the gifts are wrapped, and menu is planned. If you’re traveling, those plans are in place. I could never show enough appreciation to my wife, who works so hard every year to get the perfect gift for everyone on our list, does all the shopping, does all the wrapping, and makes nearly all the plans for our family.
If all those things are done, you should be ready, right? You can relax, and enjoy the festivities. You can enjoy the fellowship of family and friends. You can enjoy the smiles on the children’s faces in anticipation of opening their gifts. Sounds like a perfect Holiday doesn’t it? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was that simple.
Truth is, most of us don’t have the picture perfect Holiday we see in the television commercials. How many of ever have, or ever will wake up on Christmas morning, look out our window and see a shiny new Lexus with a giant bow around it. The reality may be we couldn’t fit the gift expenses in the budget. Maybe we’re not getting along with other family members, and we're not looking forward to spending time with them. Maybe we’ll just be glad when it’s all over.
I’m no expert on perfect Holidays. I always think this is the year it’s going to be special. This is the year everybody will get along. This is the year everybody will appreciate what they have, and not be disappointed in what was on their list, but missing under the tree. You and your loved ones will reflect and be grateful for the blessings in your life.
Maybe the secret to experiencing the perfect Holiday can be found in remembering the struggle of a young pregnant girl and her husband on what had to be a long hard journey to Bethlehem. Maybe it’s remembering that God chose to share the news with poor hard working shepherds, as well as kings. Maybe it’s remembering that Jesus came into the world in far less comfortable surroundings than any of us find ourselves in these days.
I will readily admit I'll always have more questions than answers. I'll never be as good a person as I should be. And I'll never earn or deserve the blessings in my life. But there's one thing I can, and will do this Christmas. I will express the gratitude I have in my heart to the people I love and cherish.
I had the opportunity to have lunch today with over thirty of the best guys in construction. They work very hard, they're very loyal, and without them this company would never have seen the success, that they've made possible. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of them, and to their families, to wish them all a very Merry Christmas