'Tis the Season

For unto you is born this

day in the city of David a

Saviour, which is Christ

the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Yes, 'tis the season to be.... whatever we want to be just as it is the rest of the year. Merchants began touting their Christmas wares as early November 1. I hate that Thanksgiving takes a back seat to December celebrations, but that's just the way it is.

It's all too easy to get caught up in the things of the world this time of year. You, like me, saw on news reports the shopping frenzies that took place at Thanksgiving time where people trampled on people and in some cases fought and killed people in their effort to purchase the last Xbox on the shelf. People physically fought over parking spaces. One woman I saw on the news killed another customer by bashing her in the head declaring while hitting the other person that nothing was going to keep her from buying an Xbox for her child. The thing is, that now she's in jail and her child won't get that Xbox for Christmas and will be missing his jail-bird mother for the holidays.

As Christians, we very often get caught up in the exuberance of the holidays as well. Included in that can be church choir programs, children's programs at school and church, parties and yes, shopping. The common thing between the world's concept of Christmas and the Christian's is that we can lose sight of what these days are supposed to mean to us. Do we center thoughts on dolls, bikes, computer games and whatever the latest rage is, or do we remember a Baby in a stable, a baby with not rattles or even stuffed animals. Do we think of the latest TV's, camcorders, handy appliances or a humble couple with no place to deliver their Baby but in a stable with none of the conveniences we are accustomed to.

So what should be our mindset as we participate in the Christmas season, a mindset that would please God any day of the year. We've already concluded that we should celebrate Thanksgiving every day of the year, so why not Christmas as well. There are many ways we can be more for Christ than we've ever been before, thus some reminders (not exhaustive by any means), of some spiritual qualities we can put into action in our lives that would please the Lord. However, all such goals can be attained only through Holy Spirit power. These are gifts that will keep on giving.....so.....

'Tis the season to be:

C – hristlike

H – oly

R – ighteous

I - nfluential

S - erving

T - hankful

M - erciful

A - doring

S - acrificial

The words are simply reminders of the kind of thinking we should incorporate into our lives not just in the Christmas season but every day. Philippians 2:5 reminds us to have the mind of Christ, seeking to be more like Him. Holiness is our being clean before God. When we are righteous, we are simply doing what is right in God's sight. Our influence is in our witness both verbal and in our lifestyle. We are to be servants everyday we live. Thrown in here is our being thankful and that list could go on and on without end. It's a season to be merciful, showing mercy all of those in this season who are in need. Many are needy financially but many are lonely during holidays. Adoration of our Saviour should be with almost every breath we take. Being sacrificial means to take our eyes off of self and looking to the needs of others even if it is costly to us. That could mean giving up material things or even giving up our time.

All of these things mean taking eyes off of self which is the hardest part of it all. However, isn't that what Jesus was about. He came from Heaven to us (Emmanuel: “God with us”) to live a perfect life. We see pictures of a Baby in a manger but must also look ahead some 33 years later. The baby pictures in the mind of Mary are gone and Mary sees her son, a Man on a cross and then standing by an empty tomb. We see the spirit of Christmas from the beginning to Jesus ascending into Heaven...mission accomplished. Christmas day and all it means should be an everyday experience for those of us who dearly love the Christ of Christmas Who fills us with hope and life itself.

Thank You, Lord Jesus for coming to us as You did. I have never deserved one ounce of Your love and sacrifice for me. Help me to look to the needs of others like You did, but keep my focus on You and all You are. Merry Christmas, Jesus. I love You. In Your precious name. Amen