And it Begins....

Its here! December I mean. Sometimes I wish I could just skip the whole month. But trying to look on the bright side, and remember why we celebrate this time of year helps... a little. I can't help but think... Are we overdoing it?

Don't get me wrong, I love the whole celebration, Advent and the DECORATIONS. But (and this is a big one), WHY are we getting so "wrapped up" in this BUY ME, BUY YOU, BUY EVERYONE SOMETHING BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO BUSINESS!  I just don't understand why we can't change the way we do Christmas.

So I don't have any BIG ideas on HOW to change it. But I do know that God has opened my eyes to a lot of things we do WRONG this time of year. For starters its the purchase till your overdraft is maxed out, purchase because everyone else is, purchase, purchase, PURCHASE! I'm certain that God didn't have this in mind when the wise men blessed Jesus....

I actually LOVE to buy gifts. It's one of the most beautiful things to see eyes light up as they open a wrapped up special something! And It's an even better feeling to be the one watching the reaction from the receiver. But a gift just because is a lot different than a gift Because I feel I HAVE TOO.

What about the GIFT of our TIME? Its something everyone is short on nowadays. And something we all can give. It is one way we can give, and change this crazy season into something of HOPE!

Some of my girlfriends and I decided that it would be better to spend an afternoon hanging out sipping Hot Cocoa instead of buying something we don't really need for each other. We can rarely find the time to all be in the same room together. The best gift we can give each other is our time. I look forward to that afternoon with great anticipation!

This holiday season as your standing in line, buying that GAP sweater with your credit card for someone that bought you one last year, don't forget to set aside some time for the people you want to BLESS the MOST this year.  Spread the HOPE!

Because as the famous commercial goes....

Hot Cocoa ......................... $3.45
Gap Sweater ...................... $39.98
YOUR TIME......................Precious, RARE and PRICELESS!



Lots of LOVE...
Melissa

And heres a great video.... WATCH IT!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KZnaJ99U1c