CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Friday, December 13, 2013

Romans [ESV] 12:1-3 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

  James [ESV] 1:16-18Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

  Where did the idea of Christmas spirit come from, the attitude of giving? Was it by way of the Magis’ example in expensive gifts to baby Jesus? Or, was it some brilliant ad-man many years ago that had an idea on how to stimulate commerce, and line his pockets with gold in the process?

  I’m not against gift giving. I enjoy receiving gifts, and certainly do enjoy giving. Giving does not however always work out as expected. As we excitedly, lovingly give, the reactions of some recipients are not exactly in the Christmas spirit.

  Years ago, the women of the church donate over $8,000 (In today’s money.) to purchase Christmas turkeys and fixins for poor families in their rural farming county. Two young deacons eagerly volunteered to make deliveries to 10 families chosen from needy children in Sunday School.

  At 8 of the 10 households there were numerous adult men sitting smoking and drinking beer though it morning of a workday. Full ashtrays and empty beer bottles littered the rooms. Asked about their employment status, in all 8 houses, to a man, they responded with some variation of “We’re looking.”

  Later, when one family’s children were asked by their Sunday School teacher if they enjoyed their Christmas meal, the child sadly replied “No ma’am, the adults got drunk after you left. They fell asleep and left the boxes on the kitchen table and the dogs and cats had their way with it. The next morning there was a big fight over whose fault it was.

  A caring lady baked a cake for a poor family. The single mother and children expressed their thanks. The children clambered to cut the cake so as to enjoy it with Miss Barb. The mother smiled as she backed thru the kitchen swinging door. When she doesn’t return as expected, one of the children went to investigate. Suddenly the child loudly wailed. When all enter the kitchen they see the mother with chocolate on hands and face. In her dysfunction she had ungraciously gobbled the entire cake! The kids scrambled to get the crumbs that had fallen to the table and floor.

  A male mentor, while playing basketball, notices his “little brother” needs news shoes. Joyously watching the boy unwrap his gift, he is disappointed when the kid complains they’re not the expensive brand his peers wear.

  A Sunday School class collects $1,000 to fill a gift list for an inmate’s family. When delivered by a married couple from the church, there’s no thanks but a “Just put the stuff over there.” as they continue playing their video games.

  Discouraged yet? I could go on and on and I’m sure many of you could relate stories of your own experience. Especially those of you involved in rescue missions, jail and prison ministry, and addiction counseling.

  How do we refresh and/or maintain our spiritual sensibility? By looking to The Word (Jn.1:1) for example, direction, and staying power.

  God gave His most precious gift, His only begotten Son, Jesus. He was rejected casually and cruelly by most then and now. But God did not withdraw His grace! Though betrayed, vilified, crucified . . . His salvation was and is largely refused . . . and even when accepted, often misused.

  Let us not turn aside from reaching out to others. Let ours be a heart fruitfully after the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; manifesting Christ-worship (Christmas) all year long. (Rom.12:1-3)  EBB4