The Spirit of Christmas

With Christmas being less than two weeks away, the number one question being asked is "What do you want for Christmas?" Before you yell out an answer that includes material things, take a moment to read this email that was sent to me by a good friend of mine. It really makes you think and reflect on what this time of year should really mean and what gifts you should really be thankful for.

Thanks Cayenne, for this wonderful email!

Another year has come and almost gone and so many things, good and bad, have happened in so many lives. As the end of 2008 approaches, we need to truly take a moment to self reflect. How has God blessed you? Do you really pay attention? Sometimes we are so blessed that we forget to really be truly grateful to God.

You have a roof over your head and a warm bed? Blessed.
You have food in your fridge and dishes to serve it on? Blessed.
You have a job in an economy where hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs? Blessed.
You have healthy children and spouses? Lord have mercy! Blessed.
You have vehicles to transport you back n forth? Blessed.
You have a family who loves you and thinks about you? Blessed.

I could go on about why we should be happy and celebrating life and each other during this season but it does no good if we don't realize it for ourselves. Forget the spirit of Christmas for a second and remember the spirit of Christ. We should be worshipping him and giving lots of praise as we honor him. And in honoring him, we remember his greatest commandment...which is that we love one another. In loving your fellow man, you love Christ. If you are finding that you are not excited about Christmas anymore or that you feel empty or uninterested...it may be because you need a change for the holidays. Maybe visiting a hospital and bringing gifts to children who are battling cancer will make you feel uplifted and joyous as you go home and peak in on your own happy children safely in bed. Maybe donating your time and serving food to those made homeless by Rita, Katrina, and Ike will make you smile when you pull into your own driveway and realize your blessings. I honestly believe that taking the focus off your own grievances and problems to focus on someone else, can turn your humdrum spirit into one of joy. Suddenly, your problems don't seem so big anymore and you can fall to your face and kneel before God and give him TRUE PRAISE AND GLORY.

I said all that to say, this is a beautiful time of year when family and friends should look forward to seeing each other and celebrating life. Let's remember the people who are away from their families in Iraq this Christmas, let's remember the sick children and even the elderly who are cooped up in hospital wards this Christmas, let's remember the families where both parents have been laid off in the recent economy and can't buy gifts for their families this Christmas, let's remember the people who lost their homes, jobs and schools to Hurricane Ike this Christmas, let's remember the thousands of families who have lost their homes in foreclosure this Christmas and most of all let's remember CHRIST this Christmas. He is the reason for the season and we should always remember to be a blessing to others because we are so very blessed.

I love you all and ask that we each seek our hearts and remember what love truly is.