“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord'” (Luke 2:9-11 NIV).

This is the right time of year to celebrate our faith, family, and friends. But sometimes, we think that we have all left our common sense at the store door or at the computer. We want to do right in the Christmas season, yet we are often left in a bizarre place: do we have the right gifts, the right amount of food, do the lights look right hanging on the tree. By the end of the season, we sometimes are left with an exhausted feeling.

So what is the correct solution to this dilemma? Right at the beginning of the season, we can reflect on one word: SIMPLIFY. It is up to us to determine what that looks like for our family and for us. Perhaps we should spend time helping at the homeless shelters and serving food, instead of decorating ten rooms in our homes. Perhaps I will make two different types of cookies instead of ten, and perhaps I will give monetary donations to area shelters.

Because, when we get right down to it, Christmas is about Christ and all He left in heaven to bring us salvation! Because of His birth, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, we can now be right with God, right with others, and anticipate a glorious future in eternity! So this Christmas, may we get into a celebratory right frame of mind, which may involve downsizing and focusing on the Great Gift of Christ.

Rebecca Barlow Jordan sums it up:

Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” As Your children, we cry out for a fresh filling, and a new awareness of Who You are. We choose by faith to make the “good news of great joy” a reality in our own lives, so others can see us as lighted trees of life, pointing to You this Christmas…You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are no longer a babe in the manger. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. And we still celebrate You as Lord–this Christmas and always. (“A Christmas Prayer For You” www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com).

Rebecca Logan is a retired UPMC chaplain and member of Lycoming Valley Baptist Church