Day 23: No Longer a Hollow Day

The needles of the Christmas tree are beginning to cover the floor.

The ornaments are ready to fall off of the now weakened branches.

The outside garland & bows are beginning to droop

The shelves at the store are emptying as they make room for valentines day.

The Hallmark Christmas specials are being replaced with football games

because they are

GETTING TIRED OF CHRISTMAS!

Are you getting tired of CHRISTMAS as we are only days before the big day?

The pressure rising to get everything done,

because what if you don’t, then what?

What if you don't buy the present?

What if you don't get the cookies baked?

What if you don't feel like falalalalal-ing this week because you are tired of CHRISTMAS?

I am tired of "Christmas" as I am tired of hearing the words~

I have so much to get done.

What can I get for him or her.”

I only have ___ days left to shop.

The words that turn CHRISTMAS into a “Hollow” Day~

a day without

THE BABY.

This morning I feel "hollow" & am thinking what is wrong with me,

because I am not “feeling” CHRISTMAS.

I can't conjure up the feelings of CHRISTMAS~

the excitement as a child waiting to see what Santa is going to bring.

That childlike CHRISTMAS spirit~

of great anticipation & great expectation ..

leading to joy as soon as I see the gifts.

But as an adult, I no longer wait for Santa to come~

so does that mean I no longer have great anticipation & great expectation?

It all depends on where I am putting my

HOPE.

My HOPE is not in what is seen, not in what present I am going to buy or receive,

or whether I get everything I need to get done for one day.

My HOPE is not in a day.

My JOY returns this morning as

I look at the star on the stable that leads me to the sleeping

BABY IN THE MANGER~

Who is my HOPE.

The ONE Who takes the “Hollow” out of this moment

&

this CHRISTMAS season.

I may be tired of "Christmas",

but that doesn’t mean I am tired of

CHRIST~

the ONE who my eyes need to be fixed on~

THE BABY

who has transformed this heart of mine into the heart of a child~

a child filled with great anticipation & expectation for all the

BABY is.

HE is the GIFT I open

today, tomorrow and the day after that.

THE BABY

Who takes the hollow out of my every day.

My JOY has returned as my heart is filled with

THE REASON for the Season,

because

JESUS is the only Gift of CHRISTMAS.

Are you tired of Christmas? Is it a just a "Hollow" Day?

May your today & tomorrows

be filled with the

HOPE, PEACE & JOY

of the Birth of

THE CHRIST CHILD

because

"THIS IS CHRISTMAS" (listen to the song below)