Two weeks ago, I attended a Christian youth ministry conference in Minneapolis. Upon my return, I was a different person. Never has the crucifixion been so real to me, so significant. I learned so much, like my eyes were closed and now they're open. For the first time in my life, my faith has been hit on an emotional level, not just and intellectual one. I realized for the first time in my life that Christianity is not a religion, it's a man. It is one man and all who have chosen to follow him.

Now, as christmas is only a week away, I feel for the first time what all those christmas songs are talking about. Joy, praise, peace, it's all right in front of us, but we choose to think about what we're going to get rather than the peace and joy that our hearts feel when we truly understand what christmas is. I know, that sounds like every christmas special ever made, but never have I realized more that it's the truth.

So I encourage you, if you want to feel that peace, that joy, then why not give this christmas away? Why not give up receiving gifts and give that money to the needy or hurting? Then you can kneel before the manger undistracted and look upon the beauty of what christmas really is.