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Can This Be Christmas?

“Can this be Christmas?” was the question our grandchildren asked when we announced that right after our Thanksgiving weekend at Mt. Hermon we would be having Christmas.

Our sons were again asked by Mt. Hermon to provide the worship music for their very popular Thanksgiving Weekend Conference.  With the approval of our sons’ families, Louise and I decided to attend the conference, enjoy family, and then retreat to a friend’s wonderful guest house on Sunday, November 26 where we prepared a nice feast for the immediate family. 

Because our sons are so busy with their music at Christmas time, and consequently very tired, plus the hectic pace that is involved around that holiday we decided to move our Christmas to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Louise and I called it Thankmas!

It was so wonderful to celebrate our time together with hearts of thanksgiving.   While there were plenty of gifts (grandparents must spoil the grandkids a little), Jesus did not get lost in all the wrapping paper.  Each grandchild that had the ability read from scripture as we remembered the reason we even have a Christmas.

In preparing this devotional I came across this little poem that portrays the importance of the Christ child in Christmas.  I plan to read it to our family when we gather on Christmas day.

Blessings to all,

Jim Grassi

Can This Be Christmas?

What’s all this hectic rush and worry?
Where go these crowds who run and curry?
Why all the lights—the Christmas trees?
The jolly “fat man,” tell me please!
Why, don’t you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why this is Christmas!
So this is Christmas, do you say?
But where is Christ this Christmas day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?
No. He’s not here—you’ll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.
But see the many aimless thousands
Who gather on this Christmas Day,
Whose hearts have never yet been opened,
Or said to Him, “Come in to stay.”
In countless homes the candles burning,
In countless hearts expectant yearning
For gifts and presents, food and fun,
And laughter till the day is done.
But not a tear of grief or sorrow
For Him so poor He had to borrow
A crib, a colt, a boat, a bed
Where He could lay His weary head.
I’m tired of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;
I’ll go instead to Calvary.
And there I’ll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the Christ—this Christmas.
I leap by faith across the years
To that great day when He appears
The second time, to rule and reign,
To end all sorrow, death, and pain.
In endless bliss we then shall dwell
With Him who saved our souls from hell,
And worship Christ—not Christmas!