They say the spirit of Christmas should go beyond Christmas day. Unfortunately, some people Christmas does go beyond that day, just not the spirit of it. Long after the gifts have been unwrapped, the tree taken down, the stockings once hung now folded neatly and stored away for next year, people are still paying for Christmas. They are thinking of Christmas, but just not for the right reasons. The spirit of Christmas is Jesus. The gift of Christmas is Jesus. The wonder of Christmas is Jesus. He is the reason for the season. He is the source of joy, hope, comfort, and peace. Giving gifts is nice, but the best gift was not wrapped in the fanciest of colorful, decorative paper but a swaddling cloth. The best gift was not found in a box but a feeding trough. The best gift is not found under a tree, but should be found in your heart. When you think of Christmas, what is the first thing you think of? If it is gifts, parties, decorations, then your priorities are skewed. It must be and should be Jesus. When we wake up on Christmas day, we are more concerned about the gifts of "Santa" than the gifts of God. Why is Christmas, a celebration of joy and peace and miracles the most stressful time of the year for many Christians? The answer is because we have lost our focus. The disciples knew all too well this danger. They had become so focus on their work that they lost their most important focus. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. (Mark 6:31) Jesus tells them to slow down. They became so involved that what they were doing was affecting them and their relationship with Christ. It reached the point that they did not know Jesus like they use to. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out. (Mark 6:49) Oh how we get so carried away amid all the hoopla of the Christmas season that we too do not know Jesus like we use to. Sure we see Him as the reason for Christmas, but now it is no longer personal to us anymore. That is all He is…a symbol. When we lose our focus on what is really important, it not only affects our relationship with Christ, but it also affects our attitude. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. (Mark 10:52). What a grave consequence that occurred in the life of their disciples. They lost their joy. Oh sure you can be happy, but we allow ourselves to be robbed of happiness. There is a difference. Anyone can put on a happy face, but not everyone has happiness. Even Martha lost her focus and we saw an attitude change. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” (Luke 10:40) See how critical she became? When we lose the focus of Christmas, then we allow ourselves to become unpleasant, critical, and stressed. We let our wants and desires and society dictate our Christmas. We ignore the good news of the angels to certain shepherds watching over their flock by night. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) We do not heed the words of Jesus who reminded Martha what was good and needed. And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41,42) How is this Christmas affecting you? When we scurry from store to store and look for the best deals and the hottest toys and we consider it a failure if we do not get the best for our kids, then we have allowed the hoopla of Christmas control us. Sit. Listen. Hear the praises of the angels. Jesus is born. Jesus, He is the spirit of Christmas. Allow the spirit of Christmas control us and really experience the joy, the wonder, and the gift of Christmas. Merry Christmas!
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