Tis’ the Season

As with many years past, I’ve found myself barging through bustling crowds at the shopping malls during the last week before Christmas. As much as I try to avoid this year after year, it never really happens. Nevertheless, there is a sense of accomplishment when you do complete your shopping, knowing what you had to go through to get those elusive gifts. In a sense, it adds to the value of the gift even moreso.

For some strange reason during the entire process as I was driving from one shopping mall to the other, I started thinking about what this time of year means to me. I accept and embrace the birth of Jesus Christ and I can’t wait to celebrate that glorious day when God became man with us. Yet, even more do I wonder what Christmas means to me, and I can’t help but think about how the Christmas season makes me feel.

The fact of the matter is that Christmas means sacrfifice to me. I remember those Christmases when my parents would stretch every part of their budget to make us kids’ Christmas the best every year. I remember when my dad would try and sneak out to go and get our gifts, while my mom would try her best to make sure everyone in the church had a gift, no matter how small it is. One Christmas, my older brother actually got left out of the “big present of the evening” presentation, and my parents took him on a Toys R’Us shopping spree. I wasn’t really one for my own presents – rather, I enjoyed just being around my family when our hearts were light. My parents displayed some of the biggest examples of sacrficie; giving incessantly and uninhibited to anyone and everyone.

Christmas truly is a season of giving, and most of all, sacrifice. As I parouse my way through the crowds some more for gifts for friends and family, it may be tiring and stressful even, but its the spirit of giving and sacrifice to give that will make it that special time of year. I now know what this means to me. It really does make your heart smile when you sacrifice a little for the one you love. I may not be able to spend Christmas with family this year, but I’ve got more than enough in friends to keep me afloat this holiday season.

 Merry Christmas everyone.

It’s almost time for Christmas!

So like the tune of 2007 in regards to my life, this Christmas is proving to be a busy one, but one that promises tobe entertaining. Along with the regular busyness of work keeping me on my toes, I’ve got a nice little duet with my sister-in-Christ Linda on Christmas Eve at the Coast Guard Christmas Eve Evening Service. I may have already mentioned this, but nonetheless, it’s up there on the list. I’ve never sang with Linda, nor have  ever sang in front of my co-workers, so it should be rather interesting to see how I react to all the nerves that will magically appear that day. For now, though, I’m all good with it. Pray for that one!

But what’s more fascinating is that even with every intention to not do it, I ended up being less than 50% complete with my Christmas shopping on the week before Christmas. Yup, this guy. I distinctly remember telling myself that I wouldn’t make the same mistake as last year, and look at what happened. I really don’t know where I dropped the ball. It was probably between the days of sleeping in until 12 noon, the long watches at work or the late practices for youth rallies. Either way, my mind is exploding with a checklist of things to do yearning for at least one of those tasks to check itself off everyday. The funniest thing is that I’ve actually checked my post office mail everyday – something I always complained about not doing because I was so busy. I don’t understand how that is but somehow my mind has found a way to run itself. Hey, less work for me to do, you know?

Even if it is hectic, I’m at peace with it all. At one point I was beginning to fall apart before it even happened, but someone special reminded me of my blessings, and I was back to my normal self. 2007 has been a year filled with personal lessons for me. I actually kind of figured out the type of person I am. There’s definitely more, but I have such a good sense of understanding of myself. I’ve gotten close to some of the finest people of faith and went leaps and bounds in my own personal journey to God. Next year, though,  is a season for change. I truly believe it. I know God has some exciting in store for me for the upcoming year. I don’t know why, but I truly feel it. I’ve never felt so much anticipation for a new year. I just know God is going to reveal some things to me. Some not good, and some just purely amazing. I can’t wait for 2008. It can’t come soon enough.

Not so busy anymore…

So it’s almost Christmas and I haven’t even begun shopping or anything. Coming back from my vacation to the mainland, I soon realized how my work reality loomed heavily in my life. It’s almost the end of the year, and I’m just now getting a glimpse of the world around me outside of work. It’s been crazy busy, but as Christmas draws near, I can finally get some time to focus on it.

God is such an awesome God. Even though its been hectic around here, the vacation gave me a perspective that slows down my train of thought; to not feel like I have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. The more I worry, the farther I stray from the promise that God is with me at all times and will carry me through it all. It has been busy, but I’ve been able to harness it into something great.

I miss my brother Tomas too! That guys is truly awesome and I will continue to carry on the “Tomas-isms” I learned while I was in Florida, such as “oily ears” and “precious”. You know what Im talking about.

 Now, let’s celebrate!