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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