Let Freedom Reign

Today was going to be just another Monday. I woke up and jumped in the shower, as I do everyday, and prepared to go to work. But I just couldn't make myself drive the 30 miles down to Dalton to an empty office where I knew all I would think about all day was spending time with the family on Christmas Eve. Yes, I don't get paid if I don't work, but I just didn't care today.

So we decided to take a long walk along a creek that we go to every once in a while. On one end of the trail is a veterans memorial with memorials to each branch of the military. As we walked through it I found myself starring at this one particular sign as we walked on by. It said, "Let Freedom Reign". It's very fitting in honour of the men and women who have given their lives for our great country. Freedom is what we've bled for over many years to give this land and it's people the opportunities to live the lives that we all are living today. And that makes me thankful.

These words ring in my head as I look forward to Christmas tomorrow. It's mainly because I can't help but think about the gift that has been given to each of us from God centuries ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Yes, as usual, I've heard the Christmas story several times during our church services, but the story is just the beginning of the greater gift that God has given. The words, "Let Freedom Reign", just sings in my mind of what Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection are all about to those who say yes to him and accept him in faith. Freedom to face life, freedom from our worries, freedom from our burdens, and freedom in our hearts.

So maybe this Christmas, instead of focusing on a little baby, born in a little town, in a little stable, and placed in a little manager, why not focus on the end result...the free gift of freedom from our sins and a relationship with the God who loves us enough to give us the greatest gift we could ever receive, His Son Jesus. This Christmas, let's "Let Freedom Reign"!