The true essence of Christmas is not about the colorfull box that we expect to recieve,its not about the colorfull light outside and inside,that we see, ITS THE HEART THAT BEATS TO OTHERS, lIKE THE HEART OF JESUS THAT BEAST FOR US..i love you all! feel the true essence of Christmas!

Dang had it wrong all these years ! welcome and just kidding .

Well Said, GG!!!

God Bless You!!!!

Very nice GG!! Love your name! My grandmother was GG for all the Great-Grandchildren. GG = Great-Grandmother!!

Welcome!

Well put, GG. Welcome here.

God bless,

I don't celebrate Christmas with presents anymore. In fact, nothing in life has compared to the sadness one can have if they are very poor and cannot buy a present for everyone. In that sadness and inability to "afford" the celebration, for me, I figured all the hoo-pla wasn't really anything to do with Jesus' birthday.

I am so sad about something... last Friday, in what the retail world calls "black Friday" (the biggest single Chriatmas shopping day of the year) in New York, a 34 year old Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death when the store's doors opened at 5am allowing a literal stampede of waiting customers. It is so crazy, this Christmas gift thing, that greed has set in, and now people can be killed. That is so sad.

When attending General Admission rock concerts became out of hand, and people began to be trampled to death when doors were open, they set policies to not sell these type of free-for-all seating arrangements. (In General Admission, there usually were no seats on the main floor, and the first person through the door got a front row seat, so there were similar stampedes of greedy people..). I hope they outlaw black Friday sales in some way to protect the lives of people who might be trampled in the future... (Search Google... "Wal-Mart stampede"... you'll find the story)

It really sickens me what capitalism has done to this holiday. Its all about Santa and elves and presents and trees... but very little is ever said about the babe in the manger anymore.

But the real story behind the birth of Jesus was one of the most wonderful times of the entire history of the world. I don't think they probably have the date right at December 25th, but I could honestly care less about the date.

In a manger in Bethlehem a woman named Mary gave birth to the Savior of the world. There was no room for them in the Inn. I kind of dig that because I can picture poverty and I can picture having to stay in a barn because you weren't filthy rich and couldn't buy your way into some palace some where.

He came humbly, but I think the important part wasn't the three wise men bringing him gifts, that is what the gift giving thing seems to be commemorating, but instead, the important part is that the Son of God came to Earth.

It is a celebration true Christians should celebrate everyday, not just one day out of the year. Not only that he just arrived here in a special way, but that he lived and was tempted in every way we are tempted. And that he went to the cross a spotless, sinless man, he overcame all of it for us. He bled, he suffered, and he died for me, for you, and for us all. They laid him in a tomb byt the grave could not hold him and on the third day he rose from the grave. He was seen by 500 and is now ascended to the right hand of the father.

This is the true Christmas story that we rarely hear anymore. They have even made illegal to portray the nativity scene of our Lord on public property.

But it so not anything about the nativity scene. It is way betyond just his birth. It is about what this man Jesus can do for you right here, today. If you ask him, he can do so many wonderful things. He rescues us from so many of the world's devises.

I have read things even here of what God can do, and my life is a living testimony that GOD can and does reach out to people like me, a sinner saved by grace.

Here's all I do to celebrate Christmas. I just stop for a while on that day, and I make special note to thank God for sending His Son Jesus to Earth. I don't give presents, I don't buy a tree, I don't do any of that stuff... none of that brings me any joy mainly because it takes money to have all that junk. If someonme is poor, they can't have the junk that goes with Christmas if celebrated that way.

But there is a free gift of salvation involved with Christ the Messiah coming to Earth. Nothing compares to the joy of my salvation. So, I thank God for my salvation. That is my Christmas.

And I can I celebrate Christmas all year long and not have to buy even one silly, vain present.

Thank you for sharing TM.

"Here's all I do to celebrate Christmas. I just stop for a while on that day, and I make special note to thank God for sending His Son Jesus to Earth. I don't give presents, I don't buy a tree, I don't do any of that stuff... none of that brings me any joy mainly because it takes money to have all that junk. If someonme is poor, they can't have the junk that goes with Christmas if celebrated that way.

But there is a free gift of salvation involved with Christ the Messiah coming to Earth. Nothing compares to the joy of my salvation. So, I thank God for my salvation. That is my Christmas.

And I can I celebrate Christmas all year long and not have to buy even one silly, vain present"

- Yes, you can celebrate Christmas all year long.

You have so many gifts you can give that do not need much money, you just gave one by posting those words.

I find the best gifts are those that involve time and giving of oneself.

((( Britty )))

((( Sharp )))this is the thumbs up smiley folks. not the fin_ _ _!

Merry Christmas

-<|:-)>-