God is always giving good gifts to His created beings, especially to mankind. It is recorded that even before human beings were created He prepared the earth as a beautiful place in which they were to live. And then, after breathing life into man and woman, the highest order of His creation, He gave them another wonderful gift - a day of rest, designed for their benefit and their joy.

God showed by example what He expected His creatures to do: "On the seventh day God finished His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done." (Genesis 2:2RSV) But the command was also very clear: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8 RSV)

While Christmas is a special, festive reminder of how God sent His son to earth, that precious gift is something we celebrate every Sunday as Christians gather to worship. We are reminded that the day itself is a gift given for worship, rest and reflection upon all we have received.

Jesus himself felt the need for worship on the Sabbath. The scriptures say that "when He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was His custom." (Luke 4:16 RSV)

Joy Davidman in her book, Smoke On The Mountain, says, "Cast back into history, and the true meaning of the Sabbath is easy enough to find. 'Thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates.' On this one day, man returned to Eden. The Curse of Adam was lifted, the primal Fall undone somewhat, and all creatures caught a glimmering of their paradisal state in which everything God had made was very good. On this day a person was commanded to enjoy the day."

We should never allow the hectic schedule of the holidays or life in general to rob us of the Day set aside for slowing down and changing our pace. Sunday should be our favorite day of the week, filled with anticipation of good times, meaningful worship and fellowship with those we love.

Let us at this season of the year give thanks to God for a day of rest, worship, and yes, a day of enjoyment.