Amid the hustle, don't forget the message

The pace of Christmas seems to grow more frantic every year. But the phenomenon is nothing new.

//

The Graham Hunter illustration (shown) appeared in 1955 in the pages of The Columbia News. It's from an era we now consider somewhat quaint, but it's clear the sentiment back then is familiar: So much to do, so little time.

But no matter how busy this Christmas gets, we should all take time to remember that the celebration isn't about buying and giving gifts, eating too much and visiting family and friends.

Instead, the celebration is a Christian commemoration of the night, two millennia ago, when the son of God was born to earthly parents in a humble setting.

Just as every parking space in every store seems filled now, Bethlehem was bustling back then, too; citizens were returning home for the Roman census, and a stable was the only place left for the holy family to find refuge.

In the midst of all that activity, the Prince of Peace was born; with him emerged the world's greatest religion and eternal hope for mankind.

Amidst our own busy-ness these many years later, we still can find the Prince of Peace. May we all be encouraged to slow down and seek Him this holiday season.

Merry Christmas.