I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you, your family, and your loved ones a very merry and joyful Christmas. I also want to say “Thank You” for all of your support, loyal readership, and the friends I have made through sharing ideas over the last year.
While it may be deemed to be “politically incorrect” these days to say such things – the meaning and spirit of Christmas should not be dismissed. Wishing someone “Merry Christmas” is not just the acknowledgment of the Christian belief in the birth of Christ, but what has been lost in the political crossfire is the sharing of love, joy, happiness, and the embracing of our fellow man regardless of faith, race or political leanings.
Currently, the world is seemingly spinning out of control as terrorism, mass killings, threats of war, and political indigestion plaster the daily headlines. While consumerism and commercialization of the holiday season have displaced the celebration of the birth of Christ, it is up to each one of us to remember the true joy of this special time of year.
Finding Joy Where It Matters
The joy of Christmas is found in reconciliation. Christmas is a time to reach out, a time to forgive and a time to heal broken friendships, families, and relationships.
The joy of Christmas is found in rejoicing. This Christmas, rejoice not only in the celebration of the birth of Christ but also in all of your good fortunes. Remember that regardless of how hard life may be currently, we are blessed with our families, our spouses who love us, our health, and our children who depend on us. Don’t take lightly all that you have been given, and rejoice in the hope that tomorrow will be better than today.
The joy of Christmas is found in generosity. While Christmas is often associated with a time to share physical gifts – it is not the quantity of the gifts that fill the meaning of generosity. Christmas is when we should be generous in deed, spirit, time, and love.
Children feel neglected because we work too much. Most marriages end in divorce due to a lack of communication, affection, and commitment. Families become divided as they drift apart. Small acts of kindness, words of love, affection, and praise, and setting aside our most precious commodity of “time” will be the most generous and appreciated gift you can give this year.
The joy of Christmas is found in hope. In “hope,” we will find Christmas’s joy, spirit, and meaning. In ” hope,” we find the strength to rise above our challenges. It is in “hope” that we are open to the possibilities of tomorrow.
Finding The Meaning Of Christmas
For each one of us, the spirit and meaning of Christmas are found within our hearts. However, Luke 2:8-14 says it best.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
This is our Christmas wish to you:
May you, your family, and your loved ones be blessed with health, your hearts filled with love, your spirit overflowing with hope, and your voices rejoice in the spirit of Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
