Special Christmas Edition- I'm Just Sayin'!

          "Jett enjoying one of his 12 Days of Christmas Gifts!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

 Everyday’s a Gift—that’s why they call it the Present!

That’s one of my favorite sayings—life really is a gift!
I have had this past week off work—I must say, taking the week off BEFORE Christmas is my new tradition I give to myself.
I’ve always taken the week between the holidays—but then Christmas is over—feels so much nicer with the countdown still in play!
I have gone each night to look at Christmas lights—and I do believe, there are more out this year than last year!
May be a sign that the economy is recovering?
May be a sign that families just want to get in the spirit of Christmas—gift giving—even a string of lights across a house—a gift!
I’ve done some chores, completed my Honey-Doo List before she even asked!
Oh yeh—and I finished my second novel, my murder mystery called “SummerHouse: A Murder In Savannah!” – will be available Summer 2013!
And most importantly, I got to spend some quality time with my nearest and dearest lifelong friend AND sister-in-law… Kay!
We spent the day at St. Armand’s Circle, in Sarasota, Florida; even walked along the shore while she picked some seashells for a project she is working on.
And we ended up at our favorite shopping center—The Shops at Ellenton, Fl. It’s our go-to place every time we want some retail therapy!
I was in one of the shops, Nautica, buying a shirt. Purchase made, teenage boy at register thanked me, and I said “Merry Christmas!”
He looked at his co-worker and said “I love it when people are not afraid to say Merry Christmas—so many just say Happy Holidays!”
I turned to him and said, “I respect Kwanzaa, I respect Chanukuh, I even respect Ramadan, but… I won’t apologize for this being Christmas!”
The co-worker, in her thirties, said, “Why should we? We are celebrating the greatest gift anyone’s ever given me! I’m not ashamed to declare Merry Christmas!”
 The teenage boy looked at her and said, “I’m not either—I’m going to say Merry Christmas from now on—I’m not ashamed and have nothing to apologize for!”
 I just stood back and watched this unfold—I respect all religions and other faiths, but… I have never and will never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
And that Gospel started with a gift being given—and I will not be someone who does not show appreciation for the gift I’ve received!
My appreciation starts with the acknowledgment that I have been given a gift; then I humbly and graciously accept the gift; then I proudly and excitedly tell others about my gift!
Whether it’s on the phone all day long—Since December 1^st, I have said “Merry Christmas” at least 100 times a day, and NOT ONE PERSON objected or corrected me! Not One!
How about baking a pound cake when you don’t really have the time—just to say “Merry Christmas!” to your husband’s friends—an unexpected gift so appreciated!
Or maybe it’s at the checkout line—never expected the conversation to ensue at Nautica all because—I wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
And why should I be? Why are we so timid, so apologetic, so concerned about offending someone? It’s CHRISTMAS PEOPLE—Let’s Celebrate the Gift We’ve been given!
Luke 2 says “For unto you (My Gift to you) is born this day, in the city of David, a savior, Christ the Lord”
The Messiah has come—God sent His son, they called him Jesus!
There’s a Christmas Song I wrote several years ago called The Gift:
On this night, so long ago
A baby born to Mary
Of all those around, only she would know
The burden her boy would carry
For all of us…
  Sitting here…
    Saved by her sweet Son
He was sent to earth
  To give a gift
    That could never be outdone
Chorus
The gift He gave
The gift He brought
From His Father
Looking down on each of us
His gift was wrapped
In swaddling clothes
To someday hang on top a tree
He was born to die
To give the gift of life
So willingly….
He gave His gift
To you and me.

Just says it all—

How can we reject so great a gift?
How can we ignore so great a gift?
How can we take for granted so great a gift?

 How do you feel… when someone rejects, ignores or takes for granted a gift that you give to them?

Don’t make God feel that way—

Honor, Appreciate, Celebrate His Gift Proudly!

 Say it with me… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”

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