Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded ‘Silent Night’ with the words, “Sleep in heavenly beans”. “No,” his sister corrected, “not beans, peas.” On another occasion, Brenda Roberts was reading the story of Jesus’ birth to her day-care children. As usual, she stopped to see if they understood. “What do we call the three wise men?” she asked. “The three maggots!” replied a bright 5-year-old. “What gift did the Magi bring baby Jesus?” she corrected. “Gold, Frankensteins and Smurfs!” the same 5-year-old replied.
So much confusion!
So what or when is Christmas? Mother Teresa said: “It’s Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it’s Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” May we do that today!
What is it not? Calvin Coolidge wrote: “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” William Parks added: “Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.”
I’m a foodie, and I love my family, so naturally I’m going to love Christmas! But I have to say that all the best Christmases I’ve ever had – the ones I most remember – were the ones spent serving with others, be it at a homeless shelter, or with streetkids. How might we embody the Spirit of Christmas this year?
Let’s close with a prayer by Wilda English:
“God grant me the light of Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas which is Christ. Amen!”
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