Early is Okay

by Jalyn Ickes

edited by Eric Ickes – Pastor, Waller Mill Bible Church

By the time October rolled around, I had already been thinking quite a lot about Christmas. In fact, I was even ahead of the local retailers, for a change! The reason is that I had recently read a missions letter from some dear friends in Asia, and in their part of the globe, the retailers have the Christmas decorations in place and the carols playing by the beginning of September. Their letter challenged me because, I am often one of those people who comments every year how I can’t believe that the stores are putting up Christmas “stuff” and it’s only October. But this missionary caused me to think about that “complaint.” Why not put them up that early? Is it not one of our favorite times of the year? Why not take three months out of the year to think about Christmas? After all, I know the true reason for the season. Shouldn’t I really be celebrating it all year long?

You see, it isn’t about Santa Claus, nor the cheerful music that makes me smile, nor the way the season seems to make even over-worked and stressed-out cashiers a little more pleasant, nor the chance to give a gift to someone I love. It is so much more than that to me. It is a chance to reflect on the most precious gift anyone has ever given to me. The God of the universe chose to give Himself in human form, to come to earth and live among the very humans He created. Even though we are deserving of His wrath, He came to provide forgiveness and salvation. He could have written us off, but instead, He decided to show grace, mercy and the ultimate act of love in coming down from His home in Heaven, being born of a virgin, and then dying in our place in order to provide a covering for our sins.

And that brings us to Easter…….ahhh, another “holiday” to celebrate everyday of the year. To die for all and then to raise Himself from the grave! It really doesn’t get any better than that. I think I should pull out my little cross that says, “He is Risen” and put it beside the tree this year. This is why I live! In Him I find my life’s purpose and joy! If it weren’t for His birth, death and resurrection, I would be without hope.

So as I have been meditating upon these truths, I decided to turn on Pandora in order to listen to some of my favorite Christmas carols. This time, with a different sense of reflection. It is only October, but why not start celebrating my Savior’s birth right now? Even walking into Walmart this year has been different. I find myself smiling at the thought of remembering the birth of my Savior — a little earlier this year, but without any sense that “it is too early”.

So I hope the next time you are tempted to think, “Why are they selling Christmas things already?” or “I can’t believe that they are already playing Christmas music!”, that you will stop and thank the God who gave the greatest gift of all, and thereby, be able to fully enjoy the true reason for this season. And perhaps, even wish that it was more than just three months out of the year.

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Jalyn Ickes has been married to Eric Ickes (pastor, Waller Mill Bible Church) for 19 years, and is a homeschool mother of three children.

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