Dear Family and Friends,

I am counting down the days!  Yes, I am one of those people who absolutely loves everything about Christmas.  I begin playing Christmas carols in November.  The tree goes up before the turkey gets cold.  I am out on Black Friday with a smile a mile wide.  It is the best!

One of the songs that I love to sing along with is “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere I go.”  Come on and join me in the next line.  “Take a look at the five and ten glistening once again with candy canes and silver canes aglow.”  Yes, yes, yes!  I love the sights, sounds, and smiles of Christmas.  But wait – the song says it is beginning to look a lot LIKE Christmas.  Immediately I put on my thinking cap, tap my finger gently at the side of my mouth, a quizzical look on my face, as I ponder the possibility that Christmas could be faked!!  Heresy!!!! 

Now I have watched Pawn Stars as Rick calls in his expert handwriting analyst to see if a signature has been forged.  Rolex watches may not really be Rolex watches.  Civil War guns may be mere reproductions.  I know women who can spot a fake Coach purse from across a dimly lit crowded room.  Is there anything that cannot be faked, forged, falsified, or reproduced?  How can I make sure I am celebrating the genuine, one of a kind, real deal Christmas?  Could it be possible to get caught up in the APPEARANCE of Christmas and miss the APPEARING of Christmas????

Think about it.  How many people were anticipating the coming of Messiah?  How many prophesies given about what would usher in His appearing.   Didn't God send an angel to Zechariah preparing the way for Jesus to come?  Didn't an angel visit Mary and then Joseph.  Didn't a King send a decree that the entire world would be taxed sending Joseph to the appointed town of Bethlehem.  Do you think there was anyone singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas?”

Everyone knows that a great celebration is enhanced by the preparations.  What’s a birthday without a cake and presents?  What’s a baby shower without games and streamers?   What’s a wedding without toile and lace?  But all the preparations are wasted if the person being celebrated doesn't appear.

My tree is the one of the most beautiful trees I have ever had.  I have candles all through the house.  I have Christmas music playing.  I have made cookies, breads, and a ton of candy.  My presents are yet to be wrapped, but that comes right after these cards go out.  I am singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”  All the preparations that I have made are only meant to make to be the backdrop for the real event – His appearing. 

  Isaiah 7:14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you not settle for anything less than the real deal – God with us!  May your song “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,”  climax in a glorious He has come and dwells among us.    

       Merry Christmas

               He Has Come