Well Thanksgiving day is done and now the mad rush to go out and buy Christmas presents for friends and family is upon us. Many people will go to the shopping malls today to get as good of a deal as they can on the many items on sale.

Do you think that this is what Christ had in mind? If you get a chance over the next 30 days read the Christmas story in both Matthew and Luke. I think you will see a different kind of madness (in King Herod) there than you do at the shopping malls.

This Sunday marks the first sunday of Advent. Many churches willl have an Advent wreath with 5 candles on it. Each sunday another candle will be lit. In the Lutheran church, the sermons will be focused on "the second coming of Christ"

I look forward to this time at church, but I don't look forward to the busy stores and extra traffic.

Instead of spending gobs of money on someone you care about. Pray for them everyday. Pray that they know their Lord and Savior and if they don't pray that God will reveal himself to them through his word.

God bless you this Holiday season.