Getting into the spirit?

I have to admit that it doesn't feel like Christmas time. And, I am not quite sure I am in the spirit yet. Don't get me wrong, I've had "moments" here and there. While singing Christmas songs with 2nd and 3rd graders at church and while looking at ornaments at the mall.

I can't help but wonder where my Christmas spirit usually comes from. You see, we are not decorating our home this year - neither the apartment nor the cabin. No lights. No ornaments. No Baylor Santa. No bells. No stockings. No garland. None of it. Rather, we're in the middle of packing up boxes, squeezing in shopping here and there. I've spent endless hours working on my Christmas cards, and they just aren't what I wanted them to look like.

I opened one of my boxes of ornaments this past weekend, just to look at the glitter, sparkly, silver, gold, ribbons and glass prettiness. A wave of memories rushed over me. I found my first Christmas ornament from my Papa, and my last. Putting up my ornaments every year is the highlight of decorating for me. I simply love it.

I can't help but think that not decorating this year is a very good thing. I don't know when Christmas became more about decorations and lights. Not having decorations this year makes me realize I need to be in the Christmas spirit for what it was intended to be.

Simply put: Jesus Christ.

The first Christmas was perfection surrounded in pain, fear, solitude and the world's sin. Joseph and Mary were dealt a huge burden and the greatest of all blessings. Christ's birth was welcomed in a barn. On straw. With no medical intervention. With probably little to no clean water. Mary rode on a donkey to get to an inn, but was turned away. Birth is messy and painful. Mary endured labor in a cold barn and on straw.

You would think that someone would have given up their room for the birth of the Lord. Or maybe someone would have loaned Mary and Joseph a horse or blankets. The truth is that our savior had the most humble birth. And it's still talked about today. There is no other birth that is more celebrated than the birth of Jesus Christ. Many noticed the significance of His birth and brought Him gifts. Others noticed and tried to kill Him.

And we eventually did kill Him.

I think it's ironic that we celebrate in fanfare - blinking lights, decorated trees, filled stockings.

But I love the Christmas spirit and all the decorations and lights that surround this time of year. I get giddy when I look at lit houses, see the gifts under the tree, and taste the wonderful foods. I love spending time with family, seeing smiles, shopping for the gifts, and how Christmas Day seems to slow down.

But I love my Jesus more.