Dolly Mink: Years of experience in Christian leadership and service have given Dolly a unique perspective, and she is eager to share her observations, insights, and words of encouragement in a way that honors her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dolly serves on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team at River Oak Church in Chesapeake and is the Women’s Ministry coordinator for the SBCV.
It’s beginning to look a lot like…
Wait! Stop right there! How dare you sing a Christmas song before Thanksgiving? I mean, Thanksgiving is a holiday, right? Doesn’t it deserve to be treated with respect and to be given its own attention? How can we deck our halls before we’ve even traveled over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house?
At the end of a recent women’s conference, the audio tech decided to play us out by using, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” The reaction—from both sides—was extreme. Some cheered, some sang along, and some were noticeably annoyed.
Why is it that looking ahead to Christmas brings about irritation on the part of some people? What’s wrong with being so excited for Christmas that you celebrate early?
Before you toss me out like last year’s tree, know this: I love Thanksgiving. I love the season, I love the decorations, and I love the history of the holiday. Being a Virginian, I know the origin— the good and the bad. And I love setting aside a day to give thanks, because I have so very much to be thankful for. And, let me tell you, I cook on Thanksgiving. I mean, I seriously cook. I start days before the actual day, that kind of cooking. So I do not ignore the holiday. But what I am most thankful for on Thanksgiving, is Who I am most thankful for every day—Jesus.
Hmmm. Makes you think, doesn’t it? Without Jesus coming to earth, being born of a virgin, living a sinless life, yet taking on our sins and taking our place on the cross, then dying a human death and being buried, only to rise from the grave three days later— thus fulfilling prophecy, we would not be able to claim that salvation and, when we die, be presented blameless before a pure and holy God. That sure makes me want to celebrate!
So, for the next few weeks, I am going to be baking off some home-grown pumpkins, enjoying the fall decorations, singing some Christmas carols while I cook, and I am going to place my nativity right in the center of my Thanksgiving table.
