Christmas All Year

I love the Christmas season, but it always seems to go too fast.  It usually leaves me a little sad.  I find myself wishing that the love and generosity we seem to extend in greater measure at Christmastime would last all year.

Maybe that explains why one of my favorite Christmas songs is “Christmas Time Again” by the band Extreme … yes, the rock band Extreme of 90’s fame.  Go figure, a rock band put it all in the proper perspective.  Just take a look at these lyrics:

Christmas always goes too fast

It’s up to us to make it last

And all I want for Christmas is love

Come that morning and I see you smile

It only lasts a little while

How come we seem to push it all aside?

Don’t you know that it’s Christmas time again

I’m happy for you

You know it comes and goes

So let’s pretend that it’ll last all year…

The thing is, though, if we keep our focus on the reason for Christmas, we don’t have to pretend.  Jesus was born so that he could take on our sin and redeem us, and that is something to celebrate all year long.  And if we allow Jesus to live His life through us, we will extend love and generosity in greater measure not only at Christmastime but the whole year through.

Just as the song goes on to say:

…The day is done but the spirit should remain

It’s times like these we need a change

A calendar to rearrange

I’ll make sure it’ll last all year …

Got to give a little more

Remember what we’re thankful for

My lord, My God …

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

Born is the King of Israel

So as we ring in the new year, let us celebrate all that we truly have to be thankful for.  And as we make our new year’s resolutions, let us resolve to allow Jesus to rule our hearts and minds.  Then Christmas will truly last all year.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”  – Colossians 3:15-16 (NIV)