By Shellie Tomlinson
When I was a little girl, Christmas seemed to take forever
to make its way back to our little house on the end of a dirt road called Bull
Run in northeast Louisiana. We kids started counting down the days before the
leaves ever began turning. Sure, the adults said it came once a year but I
wasn’t so sure. Once Santa Claus left our humble abode it seemed like light
years before he found his way back to the Delta.
to make its way back to our little house on the end of a dirt road called Bull
Run in northeast Louisiana. We kids started counting down the days before the
leaves ever began turning. Sure, the adults said it came once a year but I
wasn’t so sure. Once Santa Claus left our humble abode it seemed like light
years before he found his way back to the Delta.
That was a child’s perspective. I imagine it hasn’t changed
all that much for today’s kids. On the other hand, I’m operating under a
completely different time frame these days. It seems like it was just yesterday
when I pulled the boxes down from the attic and began pulling out the nativity
scene, the miniature lights, and the keepsake ornaments. And now, just that
fast– Christmas Day is right around the corner. Soon the tree will be striped
naked and the piled up presents will all be distributed. After a few more day
it’ll be hard to remember who got what from whom, and once again, I’ll start
packing all the decorations away for another year.
all that much for today’s kids. On the other hand, I’m operating under a
completely different time frame these days. It seems like it was just yesterday
when I pulled the boxes down from the attic and began pulling out the nativity
scene, the miniature lights, and the keepsake ornaments. And now, just that
fast– Christmas Day is right around the corner. Soon the tree will be striped
naked and the piled up presents will all be distributed. After a few more day
it’ll be hard to remember who got what from whom, and once again, I’ll start
packing all the decorations away for another year.
I was thinking about how bare and cold the house
always looks after the holidays when I realized that, sadly, this
scene would play itself out in many hearts as well. A lot
of people will have had expectations that weren’t filled and many of those same
souls will be left with hurts that don’t seem to heal. Unless this year is
remarkably different from past seasons, my bet is, the New Year will bring
magazines full of articles on combating depression and the talk shows will have
experts on offering ways to fill the long days ahead and cure the winter
blues.
always looks after the holidays when I realized that, sadly, this
scene would play itself out in many hearts as well. A lot
of people will have had expectations that weren’t filled and many of those same
souls will be left with hurts that don’t seem to heal. Unless this year is
remarkably different from past seasons, my bet is, the New Year will bring
magazines full of articles on combating depression and the talk shows will have
experts on offering ways to fill the long days ahead and cure the winter
blues.
I’m no expert, dear readers, but I’d like to offer you a
suggestion that will go far beyond the creature comforts of a nice warm bath or
a delicious bowl of hot soup. Your heart doesn’t have to be bare and naked
after the holidays. Do you want to know the real secret? It’s simple, really.
Don’t pack up Christ with Christmas! As beautiful and special as the Christmas
story is, it’s only a part of heaven’s miracle. The Christ child grew into
a man and the man became a Savior.
suggestion that will go far beyond the creature comforts of a nice warm bath or
a delicious bowl of hot soup. Your heart doesn’t have to be bare and naked
after the holidays. Do you want to know the real secret? It’s simple, really.
Don’t pack up Christ with Christmas! As beautiful and special as the Christmas
story is, it’s only a part of heaven’s miracle. The Christ child grew into
a man and the man became a Savior.
This year, may we be determined to let the babe from
Bethlehem live on in our hearts. If we’ll allow Him to become the Messiah He
was born to be, the joy of Christmas can be ours all year long.
Bethlehem live on in our hearts. If we’ll allow Him to become the Messiah He
was born to be, the joy of Christmas can be ours all year long.
***
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is an author,
speaker, and radio host from Louisiana. Her latest release Sue Ellen’s Girl
Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy was endorsed by Jeff Foxworthy as
“laugh out loud funny!” You can find Shellie’s weekly southern
features, podcasts, video chats and more at http://www.allthingssouthern.com/
Make sure to get by the blog and read about the Super Christmas Giveaway Shellie is hosting
for her readers and secure your chance to win a Mort Kunstler print valued
between $700 and $1400. www.allthingssouthern.com
speaker, and radio host from Louisiana. Her latest release Sue Ellen’s Girl
Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy was endorsed by Jeff Foxworthy as
“laugh out loud funny!” You can find Shellie’s weekly southern
features, podcasts, video chats and more at http://www.allthingssouthern.com/
Make sure to get by the blog and read about the Super Christmas Giveaway Shellie is hosting
for her readers and secure your chance to win a Mort Kunstler print valued
between $700 and $1400. www.allthingssouthern.com
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!
Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from some of today’s most beloved writer’s (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.
AND just for fun … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 – 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.
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