On
December 16, 2015 I posted “Tis the Season” about The Spirit of Santa Claus and
Christmas. Well, I’m going to revisit the topic. The Spirit of Santa Claus, the
true Spirit of Christmas, is giving, not receiving. So in the Spirit of Giving,
I’d like to give all my readers something to think about. I want you to focus
on the reason for the season.
Focus
for just a moment on why we celebrate Christmas.
It’s
not trees all lit up with lights and presents stacked under them. It’s not
stockings lining the fireplace waiting to be filled. It’s not even big family gatherings
or huge dinners.
The
reason we celebrate Christmas, is to remember.
Remember
what the trees, the wreaths, the lights, the candy canes and the stars represent.
Remember why we gather as a family to dine together and exchange gifts.
Remember the true reason for the season. Mostly remember the birth that this
season is supposed to mark then remember the child born oh so long ago.
Now
remember the man as was documented in the New Testament.
The
man who healed the sick, lame, blind and deaf. The man who didn’t judge the
sinner as beneath him. The man who forgave the woman caught in adultery.
Remember the man we celebrate this season for.
If
you happen to celebrate Kwanzaa remember the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Christ’s
efforts were to bring unity, collective responsibility, cooperation, purpose,
creativity, faith and yes, even self-awareness. Remember the seven principles
of Kwanzaa.
If
you don’t believe in Christ. If you celebrate Hanukkah then think of the miracle
of the lights and the reason you celebrate this season. Think of your God and
all you are grateful for.
Now
if you don’t happen to be Christian. If you don’t happen to believe Christ
existed or that he was The Son of God. If you don’t even believe there is an all-powerful
god, think of the world you’d rather your children, your grandchild, had the
chance to grow up in.
Now
that you are all thinking, remembering. Answer one, or both, of these
questions. What would Christ do? Or; how can I make this world a better place?
Just
think about your answer for few minutes. What can you do to make this would a
better place?
Now
I have a challenge for all of you. Every last one of you. Do I have your attention?
I
challenge you, starting December 1st through December 25th
to do something every single day to GIVE. Give friendship. Give love. Give
kindness. Give your talents. Give your time. Give your understanding. Just
GIVE.
To
help you with this challenge, as a means to give you ideas each day on how you
can give, I challenge you to go to Mormon.org and look at “Light the World”
which is twenty-five days of ideas for giving. Admittedly, this is ideas for
giving as Christ would give, but they are universal. Make our world a better
place. Be the light the world needs right now.
Let’s
see if we can’t make this a truly joyous season for all by basking in the true
Spirit of the season. The Spirit of Giving. Let’s make this even bigger. I
challenge you to pass it on. Pass this on to your friends, your family, and your
neighbors. See how just how many people we can get making an effort to “Light
the World”.
Merry
Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa and Happy New Year one and all.
(And
to those who say “Bah Humbug!” go read Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”.)
Smile.
Make the day a brighter day.
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