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| The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy... (Galatians 5:22) |
Wish I could say the same about the real community spirit we ought to be sharing. Instead, I find that folks are probably at their worst this time of year. Rushed and stressed with all the expectations and entertainment we have associated with Christmas, one hardly has time to take a deep breath and reflect on why we have this celebration any way!
It's been a consistent and steady move of another spirit, to take Christ, The Real Reason for the Season, out of our minds and hearts. Nativity scenes are banned on government properties; employees are cautioned to say, Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas to make sure they politically correct. Recently, I even had to dig through mountains of Christmas card selections to find one without a Santa Claus, Reindeer, or Snowman on it! I finally settled on one with a cardinal on a pine tree branch. The only one that actually had the words, Merry Christmas printed on it.
So as the days grow closer and the store ads become more frequent, it is my hope that perhaps a few of you will take time to read the following. It's from a wonderful little tract printed by The Tract League of Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you commit to do one or two of these each day until December 25th, I think you'll discover the True Christmas Spirit! So go ahead....GET YOUR CHRISTMAS JOY ON!
10 Guidelines For Keeping Christ in Christmas!
TAKE - time to be alone and ponder your relationship with Christ.
READ- the story of Jesus' birth and note how people responded: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna.
PRAISE - God at Christmas. Join other Christians in celebrations of music and praise.
HELP- those in need at Christmas. Follow the example of Jesus whose heart was filled with compassion for those who were suffering.
KEEP- your TO DO list as short as possible. Limit your social obligations so there is time for reflection.
USE - cash when you buy gifts to avoid holiday debt. Invite your relatives to support a mission cause instead of giving you a gift.
TELL - others about the Savior. Find opportunities to give a tract or a Bible.
REMEMBER- Christ's church around the world. Some of these churches are enduring great hardship.
LIVE- like Christ in this season. Be compassionate. Be forgiving (especially in mall parking lots and with harassed sales staff). Be sensitive to the people with whom you work and play.
BE JOYFUL - at Christmas! You are celebrating the greatest event in the history of the world - the arrival of God in human form.
It's been a consistent and steady move of another spirit, to take Christ, The Real Reason for the Season, out of our minds and hearts. Nativity scenes are banned on government properties; employees are cautioned to say, Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas to make sure they politically correct. Recently, I even had to dig through mountains of Christmas card selections to find one without a Santa Claus, Reindeer, or Snowman on it! I finally settled on one with a cardinal on a pine tree branch. The only one that actually had the words, Merry Christmas printed on it.
So as the days grow closer and the store ads become more frequent, it is my hope that perhaps a few of you will take time to read the following. It's from a wonderful little tract printed by The Tract League of Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you commit to do one or two of these each day until December 25th, I think you'll discover the True Christmas Spirit! So go ahead....GET YOUR CHRISTMAS JOY ON!
10 Guidelines For Keeping Christ in Christmas!
TAKE - time to be alone and ponder your relationship with Christ.
READ- the story of Jesus' birth and note how people responded: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna.
PRAISE - God at Christmas. Join other Christians in celebrations of music and praise.
HELP- those in need at Christmas. Follow the example of Jesus whose heart was filled with compassion for those who were suffering.
KEEP- your TO DO list as short as possible. Limit your social obligations so there is time for reflection.
USE - cash when you buy gifts to avoid holiday debt. Invite your relatives to support a mission cause instead of giving you a gift.
TELL - others about the Savior. Find opportunities to give a tract or a Bible.
REMEMBER- Christ's church around the world. Some of these churches are enduring great hardship.
LIVE- like Christ in this season. Be compassionate. Be forgiving (especially in mall parking lots and with harassed sales staff). Be sensitive to the people with whom you work and play.
BE JOYFUL - at Christmas! You are celebrating the greatest event in the history of the world - the arrival of God in human form.
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11)
Merry Christmas and See You in the New Year 2016! (Lord willing of course!)
If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.
i know i haven't comment in a long time. just wanted to let you know i'm still encouraged by your blog. look forward to what you bringing in 2016. Thank you for your wisdom and insight. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know! It is such an encouragement! Blessings to you and your family
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