Making Christmas Count
Retailers have managed to turn the spirit of Christmas of faith, family, and love into buying, buying, and more buying. Since before Black Friday, stores have flooded us with holiday deals that fill our inboxes and news feeds.
Purchasing nice items isn't bad. But, only focusing on buying and getting stuff takes away from the real spirit of Christmas. No matter what gift we may give or get, we need to remember that we have already received the greatest gift of all—God’s only son Jesus, who was born into this world as our Savior.
When shopping this Christmas, use the opportunity to spread acts of kindness and sow seeds of faith in the lives of those who desperately need it.
"As we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
During the holidays, we can feel rushed. In reality, we can all afford to take an extra minute to be courteous to everyone we meet. Whether it's the sales lady who helps us pick out the perfect gift for dad or a homeless person sitting on the sidewalk, your kind words and actions may be the nicest they've been treated all week.
Chances are these opportunities will never come again. You'll only meet them once in your life. You'll only have one chance to show them God's love. But no pressure! Just by showing kindness and a simple "God loves you" goes a long way. It gets them thinking about God. By being gracious and kind, they'll see that you're different from the crowd and may be more apt to listen about God's love and salvation. Who knows, your brief encounter with a stranger could set them on a new path for their life. Your words are powerful.
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Your words mean everything. I bet you can think of one nice compliment someone gave you. Even if it was five years ago, you still remember it. Now, think about the opposite; a reckless person's remarks can pierce like a sword and create lasting damage.
This Christmas season, go above and beyond what you've done in the past. Don’t only recognize and appreciate God's sacrifice for you, also demonstrate that selfless love in your everyday and use it as a motivation to serve others. It's what the spirit of Christmas, this season of giving, is really all about.
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