And so, the Christmas season is upon us. Actually, we’ve been drug kicking and screaming past Halloween and (almost) Thanks-giving just so the stores could get to Christmas. The traffic around Locust Grove and the Outlet Mall is steadily increasing; the McDonough Square is full of shoppers and cars thanks to all the great new stores and restaurants there, and the Jonesboro Road corridor is even more crowded than ever. Retail stores are full, restaurants are full, roads are full, and Postal and private delivery trucks, which are coming around later in the day, are full. Patience is already growing short and when our online purchases get delayed, well, we just can’t deal with it.
The upside is that all the cities around us are having Christmas tree lightings, parades, and holiday events for all to attend. These are a time we can come together as a community to be with each other and take a collective sigh from the hustle and bustle we are facing. Please take this time to go with friends, visit local restaurants, and then gather for a fun parade and the lighting of the city Christmas trees.
Even more special than this, the churches of our county are all offering evenings of Christmas music. These are a time to enter a sanctuary, hear the music of Christ’s birth sung by choirs and musicians … and if you feel adventurous … go to several churches and hear that same story, but in different styles of music and, if you are lucky, you might catch a cool dramatic presentation along the way. Look for live nativity scenes where you can actually “feel as if you were there” at Christ’s birth. All these are opportunities for us to breathe deeply and genuinely reflect on the true reason for this season.
For me, I think the true meaning of this season is to remember others who are less fortunate than I am. Many county and city organizations, stores, and churches are collecting clothes, scarves, socks, mittens, hand and foot warmers; all of which will be handed out to the homeless and needy people in our community and throughout Atlanta. Other organizations depend on cash donations for their work to continue. Or, other places like nursing/assisted living homes and women/children shelters love to have groups come in for a visit and maybe sing a song or two. Just a pat on the hand or a smile to one of the residents is all you need to do and your heart will be blessed just as much as theirs.
As this Christmas season begins, I ask that you consider others as much as yourselves. As the scripture says, “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38).
And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.
