the Bangles and a Birhtday Party...

"Just Another Manic Monday...Oh oh oh ...I wish it were Sunday. 'Cause that's my fun day. And I don't have to run day...just another manic Monday!!"
Anyone remember that fun song by the Bangles?? I loved the Bangles. I remember thinking the lead singer was so pretty...very cool hair-dos.

Today I am actually having a very laid-back Monday, so I'm not sure why I even messed with saying all that. I just like the song. Elliot is hanging out right next to me asking me how to spell everything so he can make a Christmas list...again. He's made about 20 so far and we've long been finished with his shopping! Every once in awhile I'll throw out something for him to add to his list that I've already bought, so that he'll actually get something on Christmas morning from the list!! We normally just buy what we know the boys will definately play with.

Anyway, I was just thinking this morning about Jesus and Christmas time. It is the very celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, yet we get so caught up in the "celebrating" that it becomes about us and our kids and our presents and the trees and decorations and food and parties and even jolly red substitutes. Then it made me think of this scenario...let's say that one of my best and dearest friends moved away. Oh, let's say to somewhere far..like Alaska. And every year on her birthday, even though she wasn't in town, I would plan a huge celebration to honor her birth and her life. Year after year, I would have the parties, the food, I would even put huge lighted statues of her out in the yard and teeny-tiny replicas of her and her family out around my house to remind me of her and all that she means to me. How many years of that do you think it would take for me to forget about what the party was really for? How long before my "celebration" became about me and the party and all the fun and how impressed everyone was with my knack for hosting. I doubt she would even be mentioned much after a short while. I wonder at how she would feel when I told her about the beautiful party, and everyone that came. I wonder if she would feel sad and wish I had simply called to wish her a happy birthday, tell her I love her and how much she means to me. I wonder if she would feel missed...left out of her own celebration.
Isn't this what we sometimes do at Christmas time? I know I do. I think that sometimes I simply go with what I can see and touch, and I honestly allow myself to forget Jesus. Now don't get me wrong...I believe He loves to see us gather together with food and drink, enjoying beautiful decorations and fellowshipping with others. I just wonder if it makes Him sad...like He's a little left out at His own party. I wonder if He would enjoy knowing that even among the "hooplah" we are seeing Him in it everywhere...enjoying Him. Thanking Him for what He is and what He did. "Making the call" to wish Him a Happy Birthday and tell Him we love Him and how much He means to us. I think He would like it. Just a thought...