Getting Back to the Basics of Christmas

During this advent season I have been led to prepare sermons dealing with simple concepts that too often get overshadowed by the hectic frenzy that we have allowed to creep into our celebrations.  The angels outside Bethlehem proclaimed that peace was available to those who would receive it.  However it seems that peace is the farthest thing form our minds at Christmas.  The pressure of finding or receiving the perfect gift, preparing the perfect meal, decorating the perfect home and throwing the perfect party often overshadow and rob us of the true joy and peace that was intended with the birth of Christ.  Now don't start feeling too guilty, we all have responsibilities and obligations to family and others during this time.  You may not be able to remove the obligations, but let us be resolved to not let the perfect fulfillment of those obligations become so primary in our thinking that it begins to overshadow the true and basic message of Christmas.  May we all have a truly joyous celebration and at the same time make a conscience effort to keep Christ as the center of everything we think, say and do this Christmas.