By Cathy Fraunfelder, Bella Medical Clinic Board member
It is the time of year when we begin to count our blessings and give thanks for all the many friends, family members and acquaintances we have in our lives at Thanksgiving. And during Christmas, Judeo-Christian tradition has always had the greeting of “Merry Christmas.” Sadly, businesses take this personal perspective out of the holidays and commercialize it. Sadly too, many families forget what these holidays are about, and get caught up in the “gifts,” “glitter” and “glitz,” forgetting about Christ. The beauty of Thanksgiving and Christmas has been reduced to a meal and decorating a tree. People and businesses forget that without Christ in our lives, there would be nothing for which to be thankful, and no reason to celebrate Christmas. These days, instead of “Merry Christmas” and leaving Christ in “Christmas,” we now hear “Happy Holidays.” Christ has been removed and forgotten.
Let’s step back in time to the most unexpected pregnancy in history -- Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Jesus was born in a humble stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. There were no “gifts,” “glitter” or “glitz” for the baby Jesus. In fact, it is a miracle at all that Mary chose to give Jesus life and bring Him into this world.
If you remember biblical h ...
