At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditional Christmas decoration often can be admired, and festive celebrations can be joined in most countries, even in many of the countries where Christianity is not the religion of the majority of people. Christmas trees are a popular decoration as are tiny sparkling lights in windows and on walls.

God wants something else from us at Christmastime. God wants us to slow down, feel the love, the togetherness, and to rejoice and celebrate the birth of His Son. It is a time to sing Glory to God in the highest ……

Silver Linings can inspire you towards the achievement of your dreams, to grow, expand, and meet the challenges of your daily life.

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Episode Transcript:

“Pops, it’s going to be an epic Christmas!” This was the profound announcement from our 11-year old granddaughter back in November 2017. Within that statement were two messages from my perspective. One, she was growing up! The word “Pops” confirmed that, for at the commencement of 2017 I was still “Poppy.”   Something changed that year. The second was the Christmas spirit was very strong in her; it has been through all her growing years.

She went on, “I love making Christmas special. I’m going to make it extra special this year. I’ve got some perfect ideas. I’m planning games and fun activities for us all.”

Christmas has always been a special time for our family. Even as our clan has grown and scattered, we try to be together under one roof to celebrate life and the year that was. Sometimes the tyranny of distance makes it harder for a whole family gathering, but we still celebrate Christmas together with those of our family who can be with us. Over recent years, our clan has grown with the addition of partners for our sons and daughters, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. We never tire of seeing the happy smiling, faces and we revel in the joy of the children when they open their presents.

The simple art of giving is probably highlighted more at Christmas than at any other time of year. That intense moment as you wait to see the response of the person to whom your gift was given, to know you made them happy, brings an inner glow that keeps you in touch with the special Christmas spirit. It is a time of love! If at Christmastime you receive one gift of love, you have received the best gift of all. And the most delightful and heartwarming time to receive it is right after having given it.

The magic of Christmas is not confined to just one country, nor one climate. On our side of the world Christmas is celebrated in brilliant sunshine and heat, whilst the other side of the World holds its festivities when snow covers the ground, with family and friends gathered around roaring fires.

At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditional Christmas decoration often can be admired, and festive celebrations can be joined in most countries, even in many of the countries where Christianity is not the religion of the majority of people. Christmas trees are a popular decoration as are tiny sparkling lights in windows and on walls. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many nations. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season – shopping for gifts, organising food, attending the parties and meeting deadlines to ensure the work gets done. But God wants something else from us at Christmastime. God wants us to slow down, feel the love, the togetherness, and to rejoice and celebrate the birth of His Son. It is a time to sing Glory to God in the highest ……

Look for the Silver Lining.

This is Terry Lees

[Music: Do You Hear What I Hear – Carrie Underwood]