Every year I hear people say over and over again "I don't understand why Christmas had to get so commercialized." Behind this statement is usually an implied suggestion that it's "evil capitalists" that are to blame and that people should focus on other things during Christmas season.

But is this true? Should we focus on other things around Christmas-time, or is there some value in commercialization of Christmas?

If you remember story about when Christ was incarnated in Bethlehem, you'll also remember that gifts were presented to Christ child soon after His birth. What was purpose of those gifts?

The gifts given to Christ were a way to signify just how important those 'wise men' considered Christ to be. They felt that this newborn baby would be greatest of all, and they wanted to express their admiration of His mission on Earth through giving of gifts.

Isn't that what we do when we give gifts to those around us? Aren't we also expressing just how important these people are to us by gifts that we give?

Christmas is also one of few times of year when we specifically focus on message that Christ gave world, and work that He did while He was here.

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No Fish Stories: Write Your Testimony From Heart by Barbara Carr Phillips

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. (Luke 5:4-6 NKJV)

Sometimes I get really tired of talking to my little Beta fish, Bob. It's not that I don't enjoy his company. He never interrupts me, always has time to listen to my troubles, and keeps everything I say in complete confidence. But trouble with Bob is he never trusts me with any of his struggles. He just floats around in his little bowl as though he doesn't have a care in world.

Well, I've got news for you, Bob. Nobody's life is that perfect. I suppose I should be grateful for your listening ear. It's just hard to be real with a friend who seems to have it all together, all time.

Self-revelation is a necessary process when writing from heart. We have to earn trust of our readers for story to mean anything to them. I wish I could say it's easy to keep putting my life out there for anyone to read, but it isn't.

It's easier for me to say "we" instead of "I". I remember a phone conversation I had last winter with a good friend. She had buried her mother a few months prior to our conversation, and was struggling with her sister's terminal illness.

"We love you," I said, but I knew I didn't say enough.

"We love you," I repeated, "all of us do." Still, it sounded empty.

"I love you," I said, finally saying what I wanted to say first time.

Why was that so hard?