The days are numbered.
The holiday season is here again. With it comes all kinds of celebrations and gatherings. As a society, we collectively participate in the rush toward the end of December when we are supposed to slow down, gather with friends and family, and… do what? The answer to that question is different for everyone. It means something different from family to family and from person to person.
My family will gather to celebrate Christmas and the birth of the One we worship as our Savior. His name is Jesus. We will sing songs, read scripture, eat too much, give gifts, watch movies, put puzzles together, and play games. Most importantly, we will demonstrate love to one another. It may look like a warm welcoming hug, a smile, a listening ear or a word of encouragement.
For us, this is important because the One I worship told us to demonstrate love to each other. It is also important because I realize that our days are numbered — things will always change, and no family’s holiday gathering will look the same from year to year. I want to take advantage of each and every moment that we have left together. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to love.
Love isn’t getting the right gift or spending the right amount of money on someone. It is being present, engaged, and authentically invested in people. It is having conversations and laughing and crying together. It is demonstrating grace and humility and openness instead of judgment and pride and arrogance.
So this year, I will celebrate the birth of my Savior by showing love to the people around me. I will not take this time of slowing down for granted. When we love as if our days together are numbered, we will make a difference.
Merry Christmas!
Larry
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Jacob Simmons & Tim Casper
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