“…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20, NKJV).

            I realize Thanksgiving, as far as a holiday, is now over and Christmas is fast approaching. My concern is that, with our focus moving from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we might lose our sense of gratitude.

            Now I know that Jesus probably wasn’t born on December 25, but I don’t have a problem with celebrating His birth on that day. What I do have a problem with is getting caught up in the materialism that has so taken hold of this particular holiday. I enjoy giving gifts to loved ones—and receiving them isn’t bad either—but it’s just so easy to allow shopping and wrapping and decorating to take center stage, shoving the remembrance of Jesus back into the shadows.

            Many people spend the days running up to Thanksgiving listing the things they’re thankful for, and that’s a worthy endeavor. But I’d like to challenge you to continue that practice throughout the month of December, daily choosing one thing to focus on and be thankful for, along with expressing gratitude for the greatest Gift of all. I believe if we will do that, each and every day, it will help us stay focused on the Best, rather than getting caught up in the rest. The Scriptures instruct us to give “thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Will you commit to join me in doing that this month? Something tells me if we will be faithful to do so, we will find that it carries over into the New Year ahead.

            Abundant Christmas blessings to you all, on December 25 and always![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]