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juana aka speedie/wildcat2003
Christmastime!
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Thursday, December 21, 2006 . Print Article
Christmastime!
by Janice Roberson
Christmas... Wow! Every time I think of Christmas, chills run down my spine. I
instantly recall the days of my childhood, my siblings and I watching How the Grinch Stole
Christmas and my all-time favorite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Yep, I love Christmas - or as we
so affectionately referred to it as little girls - "Christmastime". Growing up
"Christmastime" was the best time of the year.
As I get older, I often ponder "why exactly is it that I like 'Christmastime'
so much?" Is it the lights or the beautiful decorations? Is it the alluring sales at ALL of my
favorite department stores? Is it the anticipation of receiving gifts? While this excites me - well
to be honest it more than excites me, these things provide me with a HUGE adrenaline rush - I have
concluded that this is not why I look forward to "Christmastime".
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"Christmastime" is so special to me because for one day, one moment in time, I feel a hush from the chaos that fills my everyday life. For just a moment, every issue - no matter what I am facing - is obsolete... null and void. For a moment, the air I breathe is serene and I am filled with an inner peace that cannot be interrupted.
Growing up the eldest of five, born to very young parents, there were many days
when I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Cooking, cleaning, work, school... Somehow,
though, "Christmastime" offered a moment to relax. It afforded me the opportunity to look
beyond the worries and cares to a time of happiness, joy, love! That's it... love!
"Christmastime" was full of L-O-V-E. No matter what I received I felt good inside. With
each gift opened, a mystery was revealed... a token of love shared.
I remember one year my sister and I exchanged gifts when we younger. Excited about the
opportunity to share with one another, we both held our gifts behind our backs. "You go first."
"No, you go first." "OK let's go together. 1-2-3 Merry Christmas," we both exclaimed. It
brings tears to my eyes even now as I write this devotional. We each presented the other with a gift wrapped
in newspaper. Anxious and excited, we tore open our presents to find that underneath the Savannah Morning
News were books... Old, used, marked-in books. We had both given each other books that we had already owned
and used ourselves. Ironically these were the most memorable gifts of that year.
As I get older, I realize that I can experience that same peace, that same
happiness, that same rest and an even greater sense of love with each opportunity I choose to spend
with my Savior in prayer. "Christmastime" as a child made me aware of the possibility of
peace in my life. Today I know I can choose to have peace. That's why I LOVE
"Christmastime"!
Janice Roberson is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Streaming Faith and an active member of Greater Traveler's Rest Baptist Church in Decatur, GA.
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