No Time to Relax

I’m getting ready to load up the van for our Christmas drive. Loading up the vehicle became more complicated after marriage, and then even more complicated after the birth of two little ones – girls at that! Of course, my philosophy on packing differs from my wife’s. She’s more into trails. Trails of items ranging from shoe boxes to grocery bags filled with odds and ends, and of course regular luggage. I’m learning to chuckle at it, but I do find myself asking why? Why all this hassle? After all, we can see family any old time. We can mail all the presents. Then, we can stay home and relax. Relax.

However, I always come back to the thought that Christmas isn’t about relaxing. Who relaxed in the events surrounding the birth of Christ? The Shepherds were the only ones who tried to relax. Mary gave birth. Joseph felt like a dummy for not getting Mary a hotel room. The wise men traveled risking their lives. The shepherds stumbled in bleary eyed. And of course, the life of Christ was not about relaxing, but about making humanity free via the cross. So, this Christmas, I am packing up the van and driving 11 hours to show my gratitude for God’s provision of salvation in His Son. I’ll relax this summer. Merry Christmas!

Keith
Site Publisher

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Comment by Frank Lutz on December 23, 2009 at 3:55am
amen
Comment by Tang Ying on December 23, 2009 at 3:51am
Merry Christmas to all the people in Marcellusshale.com.
Merry Christmas to Keith and your family.
Comment by M. Sean Joyce on December 23, 2009 at 3:23am
Keith;
Merry Christmas to you and your family, have a safe trip.
Comment by Bruce Wayne Allen on December 22, 2009 at 8:03pm
Keith enjoyed your Christmas post, brought back memory of past Holiday travels with my own family. And for keeping reason for the season alive in our hearts, and thoughts.
Comment by Bonnie Gray on December 22, 2009 at 2:53pm
That was well said
Comment by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on December 22, 2009 at 5:16am
Merry Christmas to you guys...
Comment by David A. Barrett on December 22, 2009 at 4:37am
A great post Keith. What you said is what Christmas is all about. Christ came to this earth to serve not to receive. What are we doing with the free gift of Eternal Life He has provided for us? Are we sharing it with others, or keeping it to ourselves?

Merry Christmas to all.

David Barrett
Comment by F. Emmett Kearney 111 on December 22, 2009 at 4:03am
Great post,puts things in proper perspective. As a seperated father of two,was tempting to skip the traditions,tree farm was always too much of a hassle for the wife and kids,but it is a tradition that grounds me(Clark Griswold lives in Dalton).Making things special and going to family gatherings is important ,especially to give the kids a sense of the bonds of family. Family and cooking,and giving of ourselves to those less fortunate is the real key to christmas.I could skip all the compulsory retail events of this marthon,when the kids are old enough i will tone down the pointless buying spree of crap no one really needs. How the birth of the Savior,born homeless in a barn to poor parents ever became the impetus for the most extravagant spending spree known to mankind is still a mystery to me.I'll be happy with a few cookies,and a warm hug from the kids.
God bless,Merry Christmas and have a safe trip.
Emmett Kearney

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