"ARE YOU FINISHED YET?"

Are you finished yet...your Christmas shopping, that is? Only two days to go. The deadline is looming large.

The streets have certainly been filled with frantic people lately. Those who are looking for that perfect gift and finding that they are too late and the inventories are depleted of the one, coveted, perfect item.

Everyone is driven to a different attitude and outlook regarding this time of year. For some, it is the favorite time with the joyful music, decorations, shopping, gift giving, get-togethers, Christmas trees and all the presents. Some love the hustle and bustle of getting out in the traffic and stores when everyone is in the holiday spirit. And, there are those who get out in the traffic and stores but are just going through the motions because they so hate it all, but yet they are intent on fulfilling their obligations.

Let's not forget that for others it may be a very difficult time. Perhaps one has lost a loved one recently and can't find it in his or her heart to be joyful considering the great hole that they have in their life. Maybe someone got laid off at work and the money is just too short to have any to go around for presents. Others may be experiencing relationship troubles which are destined to doom the holiday spirit.

There is one thing for sure. Advertisers are very good at what they do and they know how to put undue pressure on many with their message of, "buy this and do that." The message is, "If you really love your wife you will buy her this," or, "If you want your children to be truly happy you must provide them with that." Let's not get caught up in that trap.

Let's all try to hold the holiday in the proper perspective. It's not the end of the world...so to speak. Lord willing, we will wake up on Wednesday morning and rise to fight our way into a new year, one day after another, one step at a time and so the cycle will continue.

There is a larger deadline that is looming and we do not know the day nor hour. This is the day that Christ comes for a second time. This is the deadline that really matters. Are you ready for it? "Are you finished yet?"

Wanda and I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!