Time to Rest and Celebrate!

For some of us these year seemed to take forever, for others, it was a hard year and they are just trying to get to the end and then for others it was just the same. Regardless of where you are at it is time to sit back and take a break, recover rest and reflect on the year behind you. This is a post about the new year to come, but it is a reminder that we all need some time to kick back and just enjoy some time with friends and family. We need to make the most of that time as you will not know what tomorrow holds.

Every job and company is a little different as we head into this Christmas weekend. Some had off today (I did not), some have off on Monday (I do) and then some companies just shut down for the week knowing that there is not much happening. Then there are those of us that are working retail and will work pretty much every day but Christmas Day (I’ve been there before). Again, no matter when you get off take some time to rest, you deserve it.

I coach people all the time to just breathe. Take time to relax and do something that you will enjoy. Do something just for you. Or spend some extra time with family. It is important. Now is the time to put off the to-do list for a bit and look at the moments you have. It is time to put down the cell phone, tablet and computer to look at what you have accomplished.

As I was preparing some messages for the weekend to come I cannot help but look forward to Chrstimas morning. My kids are still fairly young so they look forward to the early wake up, but the anticipation and excitement for what is to come is so much fun. I’m sure each of you has spent a good bit of time buying gifts this holiday season (hopefully within your budgeted Christmas fund). Now Sunday you finally get to give those presents to them. When you do so you will be looking forward to their reactions and excitement, which is worth everything.

My message tomorrow will focus on the greatest gift ever given, which is without a doubt Jesus Christ. As I was thinking about it, I thought about the Jewish people who waited for over 700 years for the Messiah to come. Anxiously waiting to see the Lord’s Son. God sacrificed his only son to come to this earth so that we could one day join him in heaven. Then finally when he came, he made a life altering impact. I know for me, when I accepted Christ as my Savior it changed me in so many ways. Many did not like it at first, as the old me passed away, but I would not change it one bit. I cannot say there is another gift that I have ever anticipated more, someone sacrificed more or one that changed me more than this very gift.

While you celebrate this weekend, take some time to breath and enjoy the time with family and friends. But most of all think about that greatest gift that has ever been given. Have you accepted the gift? If you haven’t there is no better time. If you have, have you allowed that gift to change you the way the giver intended it to.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a Happy New Year! I’ll be back after the New Year.