If you ask 10 people what the Christmas spirit is, you'll probably get 7 to 8 different answers. Going beyond those different answers, there is something that makes people more selfless, more friendly, more kind, and generally much nicer people at Christmas.
Growing up in the 1950's and 60's, that something, I'll call it the Christmas spirit, was much more prevalent back then than it is today. Wow! Right after Thanksgiving, when people's thoughts began to focus on Christmas, it was like the whole world transformed! People were happier and had more hope. They were more helpful. People smiled and said hello to everyone when they met on the streets. Once Christmas Day was over, people went back to their old selves. The transformation was beyond anything that can be explained, except that there is a true Christmas spirit that is much bigger than anything people could bring about, that comes out at Christmas time.
Sadly, it seems that the Christmas spirit that brought about that transformation back then isn't as prevalent today. Perhaps commercialism and people becoming more self-oriented has made it so the invisible, but real, spirit that visited earth back in those days, just doesn't visit us in the way it used to.
The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.The real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
No comments:
Post a Comment