Ok, let me be honest. I’ve been boycotting Christmas for the last 5 year or so. Now hold on…before you stop reading this post or start to wonder if I’ve completely lost my mind–allow me to explain. I’m not really boycotting Christmas, nor rejecting my Lord and Savior. I’m just over the hustle and bustle of the mall and the long lines for buying gifts for my loved ones that they don’t really need. Somehow, in the midst of all the fury…the emphasis started to become more about finding the perfect gift (and trying to remember what I got that person last year) and less about true meaning of the season.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking anyone for buying gifts– I still buy a few here and there. But the bulk of my gift-giving at Christmastime are things that I MAKE. Yes, you read that right. I consider myself somewhat crafty. For instance, one year I popped and bagged 2 GAZILLION buckets of homemade, gourmet cheddar and caramel popcorn. (kernels were everywhere!) The next year, I made Christmas cds. (talk about a holiday party-starter! I still have the master-copy around here somewhere!) And another time, I gave framed photos of each of them that I’d taken at our Thanksgiving celebration, a few weeks prior. Even though it takes a lot longer, it’s makes my gift more personal and I enjoy it!
Crafty undertakings like these require some musical inspiration! And each year, I reach for the same cd which never gets old! ‘What cd is that,’ you might ask. KIRK FRANKLIN AND THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS! (Don’t act like you didn’t see David Mann a.k.a. “Mister Brown” on the far left! Yep….he and “Cora” [Tamela] used to sing with Kirk Franklin …but I’ve digressed!)
Truth be told, I’ll pull this classic out randomly throughout the year. It gets that good to me! Collectively and individually, the songs on the cd serve as a great reminder of the gift we have in Christ! (As if we needed another reason to praise Him!)
And of course I have some faves (faves are ‘code’ for play on repeat at least 3 or 4xs):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXzfhG9NvFw&w=240h=240] (Sang Tamela!)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAmni-ceYsU&w=240h=240]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITToAHxFR4Y&w=240h=240]
So now that you’ve been reacquainted with (or introduced to) one of my favorite Christmas albums , pick up a copy for yourself and consider getting crafty with your gifts this year!
Until Next Time…Remember Jesus Truly Is The Reason For The Season,
(and I mean that in the most non-cliche way possible!)
-TL
No Comments