It is not unusual to hear or to even say-and I have-that Thanksgiving should be and is to be more than one day out of the year. Thanksgiving should be 24/7/365. The inference (even though it is more than just inferred or implied) is that the spirit of Thanksgiving is to so dominate us that it weaves its way into every day of the year.
Let’s suppose we take that same approach to Christmas. Let’s supposed we make the statement, “Christmas ought to be 24/7/365.” So, does that mean we should have Christmas cookies, candy, eggnog, gifts and all the other trappings of Christmas year ’round? I know. I know. Some of you would say, “Most definitely.” You like the idea of cookies and candy everyday of the week. Sorry, I’m not in that camp (unless it says chocolate somewhere on the wrapper). Nor am I in the camp of keeping the lights and Christmas tree up all year and LIT! Don’t get me wrong. I love seeing the lights and coming home to a house smelling of pine, but at my age I don’t do the work associated with either. The thought of climbing ladders or working so hard to get a tree into a holder and to keep it watered just does not appeal to me anymore. 🙂
In all seriousness, what do I mean by Christmas 24/7/365? It really is quite simple: to say Christmas all year ’round is to have the attitude we find in Philippians 2: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Paul then goes on to describe that attitude. He talks about not doing things out of selfishness or trying to impress people. Be humble, thinking of others as better than ourselves. Don’t look out for my own interests but take an interest in others.” (verses 3-4).
THAT, my friends, is the spirit of Christmas. And why not have that all year ’round? Humility. Selflessness. Can you imagine what our world, our lives would be like if we did have that attitude? It is called giving our lives away.
Yes indeed, just imagine.
I was just thinking this morning about how Jesus came in humility–not in privilege or prestige. We are called to come to Him and to serve Him in the same way. If that is how we celebrate Christmas, then Christmas all year long is a great idea!
And THAT is exactly what is needed Pam. Serving with humiity
May we celebrate Christmas in our hearts all year round, Bill. The season is a call to renew and prepare to carry that joy forward into each new day. And yes, what a difference that would make in our lives and in the lives of others in this world. Blessings!
I echo your thoughts Martha. I like it seen as a season to renew and prepare.
Father, give us hearts that imitate exactly what Paul states in Philippians 2, hearts ready to serve, humble hearts, giving hearts, forgiving hearts. Let us be imitators of Our Lord and Savior, who came not to be served but to serve. How can we confess that Jesus is our Savior and think that we are better than any other person when the Lamb of God sacrificed everything to save us. Help us to take that thought captive and let our hearts be conformed to a heart that desires to serve the Lord in complete humility. 1Timothy1:17
I can’t add anything to this Gail except a big AMEN!