Merry Christmas to all who are reading this, whether we have met personally or not. I have enjoyed reading your blogs, and feel like I have gotten to know some of you even though we have never met face to face. Isn’t the internet an amazing thing? It is yet another opportunity to connect in a disconnected world, and for that I am grateful. You have given to me, whether you know it or not. 🙂
On that note, this has been one of the best Christmases I have ever experienced, largely because I have spent more effort trying to give than receive. To be honest, I never liked Christmas that much growing up, and in my adult years even less so. I think all the commercialism and greed soured me, especially after becoming a Christ follower. Something just felt off…and I this year I discovered that something was my attitude.
There is a great reminder in Philippians 2 about the need to have the same mindset (or attitude) as Jesus. I love verse 6, which tells us that He didn’t use who He was for His own benefit. Rather than taking from us He gave; His position as God was used to intentionally bless others, not to be blessed. Don’t get me wrong He was blessed, but as a result of His obedience in giving…which brings me to my objective in writing today. My attitude toward Christmas changed radically when I started to give freely rather than out of obligation. Wheather it was tipping the clerk at Circle K or spending my time serving the homeless I finally discovered the joy of giving sacrifically, and in doing so was blessed abundantly. Sure, I received gifts this year, nice ones too, but the greatest gifts I received didn’t come in wrap, nor were they purchased for me. The smiles, tears and overall gratefulness from those I served were priceless, and filled my heart to the brim. They made this year complete, and I will never be the same. And in reality I didn’t give to them – they gave to me!
So, again, I wish you a Merry Christmas, and hope you are experiencing all the joy that comes with this day of remembering our Savior’s birth. If you are not may I suggest that you try something? It is not to late to be a blessing to someone else, and there are needs everywhere you look. Make a phone call, take a plate to a neighbor, or invite them to join you at your table today. Load the car with your leftovers and visit the local homeless shelter, or drive around and find those who are out on the street tonight instead. Whatever you chose focus on spending some time giving freely – and keep doing it from this day forward. Afterall, isn’t that what Christmas is really all about – a God who gave and changed the world in the process?
Pursuing the Peculiar 