As Christmas draws near, we busy ourselves in buying gifts for our loved ones and friends, planning the Christmas Eve menu and fixing the house. The money we have saved for the past year is slipping through our fingers fast. It's as though the country is not in a great political and economic difficulty. Whenever you go to the mall or department store, you'll be surprised by the number of people malling around. Though not all are shoppers, we can assume that they're there for what we call "Christmas Spirit."

Christmas Spirit? Is it a feeling of excitement for the many Christmas parties we're going to attend? For the gifts we'll be receiving? For the bonuses? For the vacation leave with our family? The answer- All of the above. But let us not forget the One whose birth we celebrate: The Messiah, born to us to set us free. Let us not forget that with it, is the joy and peace that the remembrance of Christ's birth bring to our hearts.

In the midst of all the preparations and chaos in life, let us pause and ask ourselves: How much time have we spent preparing ourselves spiritually for the Lord's coming? God has given us His "Gift." Have we "bought" a gift for Him?