iTs tHe MoSt WoNdErFuL TiMe Of ThE yEaR!

It’s encouraging, uplifting, inspiring, and heartwarming to see how we, the Christian Community, transform every year during the month of December. Soon after the golden brown turkey, tart cranberry relish, and spiced pumpkin pie have been consumed at the Thanksgiving dinner table the wonderful twinkling bright lights then trim our homes and neighborhoods and once a year bring to life the Christmas Season. As a family we shop, transport, and set up fancy or simply decorated fragrant pine trees that house our numerous gifts at its base and it sits prominently in our living rooms temporarily making us feel warmly connected to the cold winter and holiday season.

However, we begin to move further away from the original gift of Christmas as we stand in long lines and lose sleep over a frenzy of special shopping days, stretching ourselves and spending scarce cash to find that perfect gift for everyone on our list “tHiS yEaR”. People are of good cheer (FoR tHe MosT pArT), friends and family make time for visiting each other accepting invitations and attending holiday parties (iF tHey ArEn’T FiGhTiNg AnD iF tHeY cAn FoRgiVe OnE aNoThEr –WoUlD YoU SaY wE ArE A LittLe LeSS ThAn pErFeCt?). We enjoy the warm enticing aroma of sweet sugar and spices that reveal the familiar labors of love and traditions in the kitchen that fill our homes and workplaces year after year. We nibble and nibble and eventually right out gorge on buffet tables of rich foods and desserts and miserably within one month from over indulgence and the lack of physical activity fill in every spare inch of our jeans.

How is it that we can we fill our hearts with joy and excitement during this time of year and then completely detach ourselves and revert back to a place that is neither exhilarating nor mildly over the top pleasurable? What is it that gets turned on inside us and gives us the fearless incentive to placidly or greatly improve our less than perfect attitudes and allows us to express a sense of calmness, patience, compassion and generosity rather than our normal and inconsistent temper, judgmental eyes, and a cool and “Scrooge-like” heart? Why aren’t we participating and enjoying the incredible “gift of giving ourselves” everyday rather than reserving it only for a few short weeks that seem to begin after Thanksgiving Day and ending at the ring-in of the New Year. It’s time to say goodbye to our old limited ways of the past so that we may experience in abundance the “true meaning of Christmas” everyday in our lives!

There is something incredibly powerful and physically intangible about “hope, love and joy” for all of us that is brought to life during the weeks that precede Christmas Day. The almost in-descript feeling of cheer and good tidings is not something discussed and taught in a classroom setting as it is more an imitation of behavior that is passed down through generations of Christian families. Feelings of closeness and thoughtfulness connect us without emotional words. We have now within our power, and more than ever an obligation to our families and friends and for generations to come, to be an example of a living ambassador for Christ. We must earnestly take advantage of each new year, and better yet each day, situation, and moment to keep hope, love and joy alive in our hearts. Living in this caring state of faith, trust and anticipation our lives will naturally touch and connect us to each other and to God.

Our feelings and behavior are shaped by our “attitudes” and “mindsets”. We hear from television commercials and songs that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! We buy into the idea of “be of good cheer” as a natural way to feel only during “the holidays”. Well here’s a novel idea for all 12 months, “be a good model and of good cheer all the days of your life.” Simple positive actions and attitudes speak louder than words or philosophies. Consistency and confidence in the name of goodness and righteousness will always win out over a self-serving way of thinking, mild and morally wrong approach, weak or negative point of view. Be steady, unswerving, unfailing, and regularly in concert with others for their benefit, and see how the world around you improves and progresses. Yes, you might get a few critical sets of eye balls rolling back into their sockets, and a few determined downers trying to kill your happy spirit or others who are just filled with evil beyond help, but do not let that discourage you. Turn away if you have to, spend less time with them if necessary, but be consistent in deed, strength and courage and your good character will be catching and a sought after model to imitate. With your improved virtuous, bright, and insightful attitude you will find that there is more to be discovered about your uplifting faith, your truer self, and those whose lives you richly and poignantly touch.

The terms “The Holidays” and “Happy Holidays” have become widely used catch phrases that have been projected and almost intravenously injected into our homes, bodies and minds to include different religious celebrations which may be part of the reason why we have a less than passionate mindset toward acknowledging and celebrating Christ’s birth. Christ’s birth has become for many a less than worthy mentionable ingredient in a melting pot of money making retail sales days that is recognized and rated by how much consumers have spent rather than on the depth and celebration of one’s faith for their future through their Lord and Savior’s birth. Come alive PeOpLE! Take Christmas back! Be bold and speak of Christ and offer words filled with blessings and faith for our future. Share thoughts like “Isn’t the work of God incredible? To think that God created and sacrificed His Son in our image and for our sake, then Jesus following through for us and unselfishly gave His life from crib to cross to provide “the way” to join us to God in Heaven. What a blessing we all have an opportunity to share in. May we live in harmony and share in God’s gift of life.”

Gripped in all the hoopla surrounded by decorating, shopping, parties, food, and exchanging presents we naively, mistakenly, or inadvertently might ignore the fact that on Christmas Day it is actually Jesus’ Birthday that we should be celebrating. Many of us fail to pay homage or honor to Him by a “religious tradition or act” outside of a Christmas Day Mass if we can get ourselves out of bed after a late eve party. Take proactive steps to put “Christ” at the center of your celebrations changing the less than noteworthy past into a new praiseworthy and profound memory and experience for you, your family and friends. Mindfully prepare ahead for a “new religious” Christmas tradition. Exchange a small religious gift, like a cross, medal, bible, nativity set, spiritual book, or join a prayer group, church spiritual class held during Advent, and/or attend a “posada” or “novena” held in your own neighborhood or at your church. Bring “Christ” back into Christmas.

Speak to everyone for they are your brothers and sisters in Christ! Don’t ignore others and limit your relationships because God would never do that to you! Enjoy all encounters whether they are a brief moment in time or a life long friendship. The simplest “hello” can make a world of difference to a lonely person. A “compliment” could draw a smile from an aching heart. A “kind gesture” could make someone’s day! Don’t be shy, instead be “bold” in the name of Jesus. Do as “He would” and others will see the life of Christ in you! Always say “yes” when you can. Enjoy the gift of versatility knowing that your choices, routine and busy schedule can be rearranged at almost any time to bring comfort, aid or shelter to another. Take the “spotlight” off of you and redirect its light to that of another and enjoy the experience of the wonderful things that will happen to your giving soul!

Let us with renewed energy in our core, discipline on our tongues, and substance in our hearts display for all to see the reverence, respect and honor of our excitement and love for God, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.

Start now to begin to make changes in the way you and your family spend the days that lead up to one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar year. Rest, set straight, humble your hearts, and find comfort and peace in our God during the four weeks of the Advent Season as we joyfully prepare for Jesus’ coming. Spend more quiet time in prayer and you will experience a profound maturity in the depth of your faith and spirit that always has room for growth and nurturing.
Rejoice and be glad for this is a new day and beginning! Discover who you really are as you move through your renewed life and journey in faith and grow closer to God’s church, which is “you and the community of people in your house, church, workplace, neighborhood, state, nation, and which literally extends around the world!”

Every day is a blessing! Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and thus, everyday “with JESUS”iS tHe MoSt WoNdErFuL TiMe Of ThE yEaR !

Inspired by Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”