By Dr. Kerry Knight, Emerald Beach Church of Christ
I don’t know about you, but I miss Andy Williams singing that song in our title. He left us September 25, 2012. I hope he’s still singing that song up THERE.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you be of good cheer, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The season is wonderful for young and old alike. The kids love it as they await gifts from Santa. Families are brought together who may have been apart for a year or more. Everybody seems to be in a better mood. “Merry Christmas” replaces the usual “what’s up?” Those who enjoy shopping find their nirvana as folks rush through the department stores, many happy they got a Christmas bonus to ease the bleeding from the wallet.
And many are in the spirit of being a little more Christ-like. Those who don’t usually attend a church service will slip in for a holiday sermon and communion. They are nicer to others and even have a lump in their throat when they hear of someone whose Christmas didn’t turn out so well. Too bad we can’t make this “most wonderful time” a year-round experience. But speaking as a minister, we’ll take what we can get.
We don’t actually know the exact date of Christ’s birth. Some believe it was in the spring. But no matter, if we can have people thinking about the Savior of the world, regardless of the timing, it’s a good thing, don’t you think? The very fact that He did come into the world to redeem us, and that the invitation still remains relevant, gives us all room to have wonderful joy.