I'm sad.
No, it's not what you think. I'm sad because of the increasing comments that I'm hearing from people trying to find their Christmas spirit or losing their joy in this merriest of seasons. What's even more saddening is the fact that these comments are coming from Christian friends of mine. They're good people, but are good Christians doing what the rest of the world is doing? Are they getting caught up in the falsehood of this season?
Undoubtedly, this is a hectic time of year for many people. There are so many stressful decisions to make. It can start with something as simple as what card do I get. Then you multiply that by the number of people you think you need to give or send cards to. Then you graduate to gift giving. You have to find the right gift for that person that you decided to bless with a gift. Again, you multiply that stress by the number of people you think you need to give gifts to. Also factor in getting just the right gift wrap for that gift, then having to wrap it. Then you have to deliver it, unless they're coming over to your home, perhaps for a Christmas party. So, then you have the stress of organizing and putting on that party. Of course there's the after party clean up too.
Now I don't want to appear to be cold-hearted or lacking compassion, but it's only taken me a few decades to come to this conclusion; all of that is NOT IMPORTANT! What? What about blessing others? Okay, what about it? Do you REALLY think about honoring the act of giving as the Magi did two thousand years ago? Do you really? Do you REALLY get TRUE joy out of giving those gifts, sending those cards, or throwing and attending those parties? Be honest.
Many times when people do acts of kindness and compassion, they get that warm, fuzzy feeling that we all enjoy when we do something good. Too often during this time of year though, we just don't get that feeling that we enjoy experiencing. We have relegated ourselves to doing something habitual. Think about it. We do it every year at the same time of year. It's become old and mundane. There is no fire and passion in what we do. It's become a task that we really don't look forward to deep down inside. We don't realize or want to admit that what we are doing is not important.
We haven't lost the Christmas spirit, we've lost the Christmas Spirit. We have lost the true meaning of this season. It may be a cliche to some, but Jesus IS the reason for the season. We have to believe it. More importantly, we have to live it. It can't be just a catch phrase. It has to be the utmost in priority for Christians.
Do we dare give up the cards, the gifts and the parties to regain the Christmas Spirit and joy of the season? What if Christmas stopped being a day in December and became a daily event for us throughout the year? This is an extreme for most, but when Jesus regains His proper place in our hearts during this season, and throughout the rest of the year, we will capture the joy that we long for. That joy is what we receive through the Spirit in our hearts. The fruit of the Spirit is "love, JOY, peace," etc. Then it will truly be a Merry Christmas.
