It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It is impossible to go through this season without listening to the late Andy Williams’ song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” This song is about the happy activities associated with the season as friends and family get together. I don’t know about you, but I see a major disconnect between what we think Christmas is all about, as evidenced in the lyrics of this song, and reality. Christmas is known as “big economic stimulus” as many purchase gifts for their friends and family. A recent survey showed that Americans are expected to spend over $750 on Christmas gifts this year. Not only is Christmas the most expensive holiday in America, we also have the added stress of finding the perfect gift for our loved ones. And then there are all the Christmas parties we have to attend. So, here we are, a week before Christmas and some of us may be ready for the season to end — a sad but true reality. Christmas, however, is not about parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. Christmas is about remembering and celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is about worshipping as we anticipate the return of our King. To that end, I want to encourage you to not just celebrate Christmas with your friends and families with food and gifts, but also invite them to join us in worshipping God. On Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm, we will be holding a candlelight service at a special location — 5 Old Dock Rd, Alpine, NJ 07620. I will be presiding and preaching with special music by a professional singer at an historic church designed by the architect of the Metropolitan Opera House. On Christmas morning, we will be worshipping at our usual location in Fort Lee at 10:30 am. For your convenience, we have invitation cards that you can hand out to your friends and family. I pray that God will bless you and your family during this hectic holiday season. Merry Christmas!