No Decorations

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:6-7 NIV

A barn, a stable, a cave...whatever it was it was a place for animals to be protected. There wasn't a Christmas tree or stockings hung by a chimney with care. There was sheep, most likely a donkey, possibly a cow, and whatever other animals who were someone's property. There were no twinkling lights and no Santa.

Just a husband and his wife giving birth to a baby. Not just any baby, but the promised baby who would one day save the world.

This is indeed my favorite time of year. I love to go through the boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations we have collected over the years. I enjoy looking at each ornament as I place them on the tree remembering when my children were little. Christmas bears once again fill my living room. The house once again smells of pine.

Decorating can be a lot of fun, maybe that's why some of us like to start before Thanksgiving has even come. We just can't wait to get our house ready. But what are we getting it ready for? The expectation of an elf or Santa? Or are we getting it ready to remember that first Christmas so long ago?

It's great to see people excited for Christmas. It is a special day. It'd be great though if the excitement could last past December 25, because really that is just the beginning of the Christmas season. It really should last until at least Three Kings Day. A day when we remember the wisemen visiting Jesus with gifts.

We shouldn't be ready to pack the decorations away just as soon as December 25th is done. We should allow the excitement to continue through at least the New Year. After all a birth of a baby is worth celebrating a few days at least.