Christmas Comes This Time Of Year

These are words in a song that is played this time of year. I know we all look forward to this holiday for various reasons. We try to reflect upon the reason for the season and our thoughts are on the baby Jesus. While it is good to remember Jesus, let us not forget that we are supposed to remember Jesus all the time. Jesus died on the cross for us, and that fact is to be celebrated all the time. I would like to reflect upon a few things that we experience this time of year, and ask why this is not done the rest of the year.
Jesus being the focus of Christmas is only considered by most people during this time of year. However we should be looking to Jesus all the time. The scripture tells us to consider Jesus our Perfect Example, and we are to fix our gaze upon Him as we go through life.
It is nice to receive gifts, but I think we get more enjoyment out of giving to others. We watch the children tear through the wrapping paper with great expectation, and then we hear the shouts of joy for what they got. It is better to give than to receive. But speaking of giving, we should give ourselves to the Lord first in our lives all the time, not just this holiday season. We should be giving our best effort in trying to do good. But we give our best efforts towards sin, and our selfish desires. The whole concept of Christmas has been commercialized to our disgust, but we just play along, and buy gifts for so many people, that we would not otherwise give them the time of day. Also, perhaps we should reflect upon giving ourselves to the service of others. To help people like the elderly or sick would brighten some lives. Our various groups go around to the senior centers to sing carols and Christmas songs. Why not visit them each month and sing to them.
We are more prone to give to charity during Christmas time. We don't know why, but we just do it. The Bible teaches us that charity is a quality that we should practice all the time. Most of us have more than enough to get by. We should be seeking those less fortunate and help them at other times in the year.
Our families are important, and too often we take them for granted. While we have them, let us cherish them. For the children grow up and move away, some of our loved ones pass away. It is when we miss them that we wish that we had cherished them while they were in our company. Stop ignoring your kids or your spouse. Turn off the TV and spend time with family. Gather around the table to eat your meals. When is all said and done, family is supposed to be the strongest relationship we ever experience.
We see friendliness and kindness this time of year. More people are polite and most wish you the holiday greetings. Why can't we practice friendliness all the time? Why can't we show kindness to others? The Bible teaches us that this is more important than bowing down before the baby Jesus. Micah 6:8 reads: "The Lord has shown you, oh man, what He doth require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before your God".
Friends, while we do these during the Christmas season, please let the spirit of Christmas extend the rest of the year. Can you just imagine what this world would be like if we could get everyone singing peace on earth and goodwill towards men, all the time? And don't forget to have the kids write Santa (and all the gift givers) a thank you note after they open their gifts.

By Carey Scott via the Ranger Times 12/19/2010

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