It's Beginning to Sound a Lot like Christmas!

I think the most amusing news story I have heard in the last few days came from the USA.

There was a Walmart employee who died the morning of 'Black Friday'. She was trampled by eager shoppers looking to get the best deals for the Christmas season. But seriously, this woman was trampled. Does no one else see how this is a brutal reflection of our consumerist society?

Christmas is about Christ's birth, the greatest gift of all was given to us by God, 2000 years ago. This, my friends, is how we celebrate the holidays today. We trample Walmart employees to 'give' to our families and friends.

I hate Christmas shopping. I hate buying gifts people don't need, and may never use. I always find it so hard to buy something. I find myself thinking, well, what will they like? What do they want? And not, what do they need..

Truth is, I was inspired by a girl in my dorm. She mentioned this past week that her parents had called and asked for a Christmas list. She told them to buy goats for someone else. Literally, buy goats.

Our dorm, as a whole, is going to go through the World Vision catalogue and come up with some goats, or chickens, or clothing, etc. to send to people around the world.

In the meantime, back home, I look forward to spending time with my family, making cookies, and meals, and playing games. I look forward to decorating, and seeing the lights, and snow. I look forward to all the things that come with the Christmas season. But most of all, I look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Oh come, Oh come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.

and then finally..

Joy to the world! The Lord HAS Come!