Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Hamilton Wright Mabie

I love Christmas! I love a season, like the quote above mentions, in which even the most jaded or cynical of people look for ways of expressing or receiving love. It's OK for us to buy or make little expressions of our love and appreciation at this time of year, like it is in no other. It's still OK in many places to be singing about Jesus and His love in public places. We light up our houses, string lights and tinsel on anything that stands still, and feast. We make the time and effort to see or connect with people we seldom see the rest of the year.

All of it to celebrate the greatest of all gifts-Jesus.

I freely admit that all of this also leads to ridiculous levels of stress, expectations, and expense, but still, how beautiful that most of the world (even those who don't believe it) marks this special remembrance with celebration. Let us freely celebrate and honor God's gift and presence to and in our world. May our hearts and deeds reflect our acknowledgment of His love and sacrifice and the change in us because of them.

That's something to celebrate!