Christmas spirit has nothing to do with the trees, lights, poinsettias and decorations.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

By Rev Cathy

“Possessing the Real Christmas Spirit”

Luke 1:26 to 2:40

            As we begin this Advent season of waiting and preparing and wondering about what is to come, it is important to take time to be quiet and read/ re-read the Christmas story. To read the story of Jesus’ birth enables us to search and discover the real Christmas Spirit. Just what is it? It is something in your heart that makes you warm and glowy, like a mother’s love for her child. You can’t buy it at any store and you cannot get it from anybody else. It’s in your heart.

When you read the story about Jesus’ birth you will soon realize that the Christmas spirit has nothing to do with the trees, lights, poinsettias and decorations. If you removed these as well as the food, presents, and music you will find that you would still celebrate Christ’s birth and experience this spirit. It is found when you put yourself into the story and reflect upon what the shepherds did to glorify God. To see Mary pondering Jesus’ birth and to wonder what Joseph thought about God’s Son now born and in a manger.

            The real Christmas Spirit is something we each search for- even those who have lived their entire lives as committed Christians. It is in that certain something that calls us to look more deeply into our thoughts and feelings and to see Christ not as a helpless infant, but the one who taught us to show our love in what we say and do. It is something that re/connects us with God in a new and renewed way and gives us hope for tomorrow.

            Depending upon your age and experiences ‘the best Christmas ever’ is often only a memory of one thing that happened when you were a child. But the best Christmas is really the one in which you are prepared and ready for- when Christ Jesus comes again and you are not worried about the tree, presents or anything else. Just feeling and knowing that Jesus is with you as you look to those whom you love and love you, as you remember those now with God and as you envision Christ in the room and sitting and being with you. How do you know if you have the Real Christmas Spirit?

PRAYER:

Gracious God you are the Giver of the Perfect Gift in Jesus. Help us to search for Christ and to see ourselves in the story of His birth. Help us to listen again with new ears and understanding to what it means to love as Christ loved. Enable us to find the real Spirit of Christmas in the blessings of Jesus. Amen.

BLOG QUESTION

Each year people go through the actions of celebrating Christmas but are unsure of what it is all about. How will your Advent and Christmas preparations change in light of your renewed sense of finding the real Spirit of Christmas?