Well, here it is less than two months after Christmas, and I'm happily beginning all over again. To do what? Prepare for that most glorious season of all--Christmas, of course!
After all, it's only 314 days until it arrives. There's so much to do. How will we ever get it all accomplished in so little time?! Yes, I know, many of you think that such talk is silliness, but I'm serious.
At one time or another, I think just about all of us have said that things seem nicer somehow at Christmastime. Maybe it's true---maybe we really do feel more cheerful---notice things a little more. If it is true, then why settle for only one day a year---or even a few days or a couple of weeks a year? Why not carry that fruit along with us as we go, day-in and day-out? And I'm not talking about just fruitcake, either!
What fruit then? The fruit of the Spirit of Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control! Yes, now you remember---it's all the things we love about Christmas---the mass of Christ, our Redeemer. So in the coming months, as the hours tick away and I joyfully await that most glorious day of all days (the celebration of when God Himself revealed His love toward us) I shall try and remember what Ebenezer Scrooge learned: we CAN keep Christmas in our hearts and endeavor to live in that beautiful Spirit all year long.
LOVE -- cherish those you care about; lavish them with copious amount of affection and adoration
JOY -- "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be," said Abraham Lincoln. Well then, make up your mind to be happy. And remember, NO ONE CAN STEAL YOUR JOY! Be joyful.
PEACE -- In as much as you can, always choose PEACE. In this world, you cannot avoid conflict, but you can choose your battles. Paul said that we should not be surprised when we encounter hardships. Things will not ever be perfect for any of us, but we can remain peaceful in every situation. Let's encourage each other to always remain calm in adverse situations.
PATIENCE -- Here's one that we may need to work on in earnest. Choose one area in your life where patience may be lacking...perhaps it's those minutes when you're caught in traffic with unfriendly drivers surrounding you---maybe it's when the children are too loud for your pounding headache; possibly it's the stress of having to wait for someone else to do their job before you can finish yours. Whatever the trigger---you control the firing pin. Practice patience until it becomes your very nature.
GENTLENESS -- Oh, to be sweet and gentle to all, like our gentle Savior. Start by speaking more softly to those who annoy you. I have noticed that aging parents, in particular, are often shouted at (and NOT because they are hard of hearing) and talked down to. Don't do it to little children either---they're just babies! Be gentle with everyone.
GOODNESS -- We could all make an effort to just be good to others. The blessings we enjoy so much may never reach others; do whatever you can, whenever you can. People who have fallen on unfortunate times will always be among us---not just at Christmas. Be good---all the time.
FAITH -- Everyone has faith; it's just the way we're wired. Some of us have reached the ultimate plateau of having a deep, abiding faith in an unseen God who orders our steps and directs our paths. Take time to nurture your faith daily---you never know when you may need every ounce that you have to prevail.
MEEKNESS -- That's right; now is the perfect time to tone it down a notch and with reckless abandon---FORGET ABOUT YOURSELF. Let others tell about how great you are, for a change. Be humble. I know it may come as a shock---but, generally speaking---it's not about YOU! (I'm speaking to myself, first and foremost---who do you think I write these for, anyway?! LOL)
SELF-CONTROL -- Ouch! Can I get a band-aid over here, please. That slices deep. Resist the urge to get 'even.' Refer to the previous notes (it's not about you) . Exercise control over anger and rage, in particular. No one can MAKE you angry---it's your own choice. Control that urge. Mama used to say that I should stop and count to ten before I explode on someone. It still works.
So there you have it---my plan for living the Spirit of Christmas, all year long. WOW! What amazing possibilities are out there for us in the coming weeks and months.
I hope you will become as excited as I am over them. Happy Christmas to all! It's only months away and we simply MUST prepare!
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