As I was connecting the lights to our Christmas tree, I thought about the things we are connected and plugged into in the course of our busy lives.

Our culture tells us that our quality of life increases as we become plugged into the world. We now have faster, quicker, more powerful computers, thousands of minutes available on our cell phones, hundreds of T.V. channels, internet and e-mail uniting people from all over the world. This may give us the illusion that we are closer to one another. We think we are connected, but are we really?

Tis' the season for hurried shopping trips to the mall, mailing cards and packages, the stresses of the holiday activities and events. The bright city lights and Christmas trees are plugged in, but what about our hearts and souls?

As we prepare for the celebration of our Lord's birth in the midst of a world filled with busyness, materialism and all our technological advancements, how can we put it all in perspective? Perhaps a famous quote from James

Irwin the astronaut who walked on the moon in 1971 can put things in perspective.

He said, "I can't describe to you the thrill of looking out into space and seeing it as only a handful of men have ever seen it. Seeing the sun and stars in the most brilliant colors humankind has ever witnessed. And then to look in another direction, and there hanging like a multicolored, luminous giant marble was the earth. I could hardly contain myself.

I came to a stop. And a chilling sensation ran down my spine. I thought, WOW! This is the greatest miracle in the history of the human race. Man is walking on the moon! Then, God spoke to my heart, "No Jim, It isn't really. The greatest miracle in the history of mankind, is not that man walked on the moon, it's that God walks on the earth and lives in you." ... in the heart of your soul and mine!

My prayer is that each of us "plug in" and connect our hearts to Jesus this Christmas season. The one who came humbly at Christmas to be our Savior continues to come to us today, just as humbly, knocking on the door, calling, waiting for us to let Him in.

Let's "plug in" by committing to pray to God with a sincere heart. Let us plug in by reading God's Holy word daily. Let us be connected to God by becoming vessels of His love and compassion allowing the peace of Christ to rule our hearts.