Christmas: A time to reflect

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, let us take time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. It is not the amount of gifts we buy or the material things we get that are important. It is the reason for the season that started with the birth of a little baby.

As we struggle during some of the hardest economic times our country has been through, there is no better time to renew ourselves. The birth of Jesus created the world of Christianity. The message of Jesus was that of a renewal in the world, to live better lives, and – yes – to show love and kindness.

All these words sometimes get hung up with what religion one belongs to, but there is no doubt the message is the same. It is great to see the passion people have to reach out and help those they do not even know. If we can hold the Christmas spirit all year and give more than we expect to receive, our world would be a better place to live.

So, yes, we have our challenges, but take time to reflect to see how good we have it as Americans. Realize how much the spirit of the Christ child has done to at least take one part of the year and prove that there is a lot of love and kindness still in our world.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prayer that the season sparks a rebirth in our community and in our country.