I
am always impressed by the kindness and good energy people share during the
Christmas season. People just seem to naturally go out of their way to go the
extra mile to make everything just so for the Holidays. They donate more freely to the poor and
those among us in need, and remember the sick. They send cards to share the
warmth of the season, and place beautiful bows on gifts they give to others.
On
Christmas day, they go out of their way to make sure that everything is really
nice as they elicit memories from holidays gone by from years past. The good
linen comes out, and, for some, the exquisite china. People go to great lengths
to make sure that everyone has their favorite holiday cup of cheer: That is,
mulled cider, special wine, mixed drinks or Shirley Temple’s for children and
non-drinkers.
We
light candles and extend extraordinary hospitality, some even try to embrace
good will, opting for forgiveness in the name of Christmas.
In
fact, the hospitality seems endless as we go from place to place sharing and
experiencing the Christmas Spirit.
Is
it possible that in the midst of all the holiday trappings, we find the true
meaning of Christmas takes us right back to what Jesus told us in the Gospel right
from the start:
Love
God with all your heart above all others, and love one another.
In
a way, this season serves as a reminder that behind all the gifts and
excitement, behind all of the hustle and bustle, we are all in need of God’s
love and love from one another. In my mind, there is no greater medicine than
kindness, compassion, empathy, and encouragement.
Is
it possible that annually, through the ‘Christmas Spirit’ indeed, that we
discover, yet again, that we are loved & lovable and therefore naturally
more loving?
Now
imagine this for a moment. Imagine what this world would be like if we extended
such love to one another all year through? What if we regularly tried to make
amends with those we don’t love as we should, and spent our days looking for
opportunities to lighten the load of others?
What
if we took the opportunity to pray regularly for those in most need of God’s
mercy and care? Perhaps it would be a big step towards having the ‘Christmas
Spirit’ extend throughout the year.
Today,
I stand before you, and pose a challenge that I also intend to try to live out.
Let’s all try a little harder to forgive others this year. Perhaps if we strive
to become encouragers of others, we may even succeed at it! Let’s try to avoid
unkind gossip and try to build each other up. Let’s try to complain less and
become better listeners for each other.
You
see, through the eyes of faith, the Christmas Spirit is actually the Holy
Spirit of Jesus, meant to be embraced and extended to others year round. As
followers of Jesus, it is how we were meant to be. We were not put here to
gossip, complain, envy or loathe each other. We are here to love each other and
be supportive of others, rather than always being on the receiving end. The
mystery here is that through the power of the Holy Spirit, everyday can be
filled to some degree with the ‘Christmas Spirit’ of Jesus love for us.
May
Our Dear Lord bless you and your family profoundly this Christmas season, and
may He bless you with the Christmas Spirit throughout the New Year.
Adele
M. Gill Copyright 2014
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