Happy Holidaze!

The weather has cooled, the days become shorter, the thermastat has been set to warm. Catalogs have started to arrive in the mail along with department store coupons. Christmas music plays in every building from the drug store to the Dr.s office, and the telephone inquiries have been about the who,what, where, and when of gatherings for the next two months I like to call the "Holidaze".

Most families have traditions they keep up with each year. Decorations, music, visits to friends and family,as well as charitable giving. Even recipes and cooking for this season trigger nostalgic nuances to warm both hearth and home. Merry Mail is sent and recieved with the intent to touch those at a distance. The calander gets jammed with reminders of concerts, parties, luncheons with friends, and family activities. There are so many good people and things to look forward to. We pick out presents that reflect the perfect message of thoughtful consideration for those we love and those we look to appreciate in the true spirit of giving.

But someone somewhere has no one,somebody out there is looking to be invited to the celebration of life! In my family, we were always taught to invite an outsider in to our family during this season. And I can tell you that the days are better spent with an added person baking or decorating or simply chatting away while setting the table. My children used to groan at the notion of having a lonely neighbor, divorced friend or widowed co-worker join us. They felt uncomfortable sharing our home at times. But as they grew, they also included friends that could find laughter and love in our quirky family.

I think the most fun we have is our game time after holiday meals! Even our guests help us to create new stories and jokes. And if you ask anyone around here what are the favorite memories of this season it wouldn't have much to do with gifts or wrappings. It would be the simple pleasures of laughter and love. So if you want to make this season the best ever just plan an easy evening with others God has shown you to include, add some simple snacks or treats, some music and a fun game like Balderdash or Madgab and everyone is a winner!

If we are not comfortable opening our homes and selves up to others with this kind of invitation, how will we ever show this world Christ! He is alive in us. He always welcomes everyone to share in His love. We too can see Him in the face of those we know are in need. Shake off the daze and give God the praise.

Emmanual, Christ with us - the gift that keeps on giving!