It’s that time of year again! Last Friday, my wife checked the Hallmark Channel and found only Christmas movies, with Christmas being promoted throughout July. Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas, but I prefer to celebrate it in December. Everything has its season—there’s a time for Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. On the day after Thanksgiving, my wife and I are both in full Christmas mode. We bring out the decorations to get our house and yard ready for the holidays, and they stay up until the 12th Day of Christmas. 

Yet every year, Christmas seems to come sooner. We notice Christmas candy on shelves before Halloween, and at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, Christmas trees and decorations are already on display. I even know some people who start decorating their homes for Christmas right after Halloween. And Thanksgiving becomes the forgotten middle child of the holidays, often overlooked by the bustle of Christmas.

Why do we focus so much on Christmas? It may stem from the lyric in the well-known Christmas song, “We need a little Christmas, right this very minute.” In a cynical world, where compassion and empathy seem scarce, we long for the goodwill and spirit of giving that Christmas evokes.

As Christians, we are God’s light to the world; we are called to “let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). There is a dying world out there, desperate for truth and light, with people who need our help, and God has commanded us to go out there. When we observe all the suffering and evil in the world, it may feel overwhelming, but we must not give up. While we can’t help everyone, we can make a difference for someone; we can’t do everything, but we can do our part. Don’t be the person who wonders why someone didn’t help; instead, take action yourself. If you feel like giving up, don’t; but do give yourself time to rest and recharge. If watching those old Hallmark Christmas movies motivates you to do this, then watch them! Keep leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus, and keep praying for others and for this country, that help will come to those in need. Be that person who hears God’s call and replies, “Here am I, send me!”    

Take care,

Bill R