Page 6 2015 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM NOVEMBER 25, 2015
with joy as their eyes light up, and they look
on the bestower with love and appreciation.
But why is that so important to us? Perhaps
it is our way of trying to reflect the ultimate
gift of God; his only Son, our Savior, who
was given to the world as a gift from the
Father. The Son, who ultimately gave himself
as a gift, as well. As we consider the Christ
Child during this holiday season, we have to
see the whole picture. We see the birth, the
life, the sacrifice of life, and the resurrection,
all culminating in that perfect gift. When we
open our hearts to receive it, we can exclaim
with joy and look on our Heavenly Father
with love and appreciation.
Though there may be many other reasons why
one would consider this the most wonderful
time of the year, one would hope that charity
would be part of the mix. At this time of year,
our hearts are more open to those in need,
especially children. While we should perhaps
be charitable all through the year, the thought
of kids with no toys or gifts under the tree,
parents who are struggling to buy groceries,
and grandparents who are trying to keep a
family intact during a hardship, drives us to
open our wallets and be more generous with
our giving.
It is only fitting that it should be so. While we
joke about Christmas curmudgeons, the fact
is, this time of year is not the most wonderful
time of the year for many, and as we look at
ourselves and what we have and what we can
be thankful for, it is good to remember that
there are those right here in our community
that do not have.
While some are struggling financially, others
may be struggling with health and other
hardships. Our duty should be to remember
them, to reach out to them personally and
to pray for them privately, that our joy, our
feeling of the most wonderful time of the
year should be spread to them in some small
portion, some small way.
American poet Grace Noll Crowell penned it
very well when she wrote:
Let Us Keep Christmas
Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
It’s poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
So, to that end, let us keep Christmas, let
us share Christmas, and make it a most
wonderful time of year not just for ourselves
and our loved ones, but for all humanity, both
here at home and all around the world.
This holiday season, May the Lord bless you
and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon
you and give you peace.
Story by Nila Smith
