Rejoice!

   It's the Christmas season again, and everyone has plenty of things to do. There's holiday baking, Christmas shopping, secrets to keep, parties,celebrating, and wrapping to be done. And that's just the beginning! It seems each year is busier than the last.It's go,go,go! from morning til night.
   The rushing of the Christmas season didn't start in the 21st century or even in America at all. It all started outside of Bethlehem  when the birth of our Savior began.Picture it:
   Young Mary, nine months pregnant, slumps on a donkey Joesph leads.Bethlehem's in sight, but they are tired and move slowly. When the pains of labor started,however, they  hurried. Disappoint-ment after disappointment meets them at inn doorways.Soon they aren't hurrying anymore; they're   rushing! At last they are able to stop. Mary delivers Him, and all rejoice.The surroundings of this rejoicing were not perfect. They were dirty messy, and flawed.
    So,when you stop rushing at last, rejoice.Your surroundings, including the people, won't be perfect. They'll probably be dirty, messy, and flawed,but rejoice! Whether your rushing has ended, ends tomorrow, or ends at 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Eve, rejoice!

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his

shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6

REJOICE!