The Spirit of Christmas

What kind of title is that? Some washed out reference to the "peace" that Christmas stands for, right? A reference to some mystical elf spirit that brings joy to all people? No, but take a moment with me to remember Christmas 2004.

This year, I was blessed to spend the holidays with my new fiancee. We have been welcomed so graciously into each other's family, it's almost like we've always belonged there. And that is certainly a testament to God's planning in each of our lives.

One of the most memorable parts of the holiday was a time of worship. Emily and I were just coming back from my parent's home, where my parents gave us some great gifts. Mom and Dad said they knew we could really need the help. And, of course, my parents were right. On the way back, with tears in our eyes, Emily and I discussed how great our God was, how wonderful He was to place such people in our lives. Even more, we discussed how our current financial situation made it impossible for us to give much more than our gratitude and love in return for the gifts. God had chosen the holidays to teach us about humility, love and generosity all at the same time.

The next day was much the same. Emily's family treated me as if I had always been part of the family. Gifts and a family dinner - and even a family talent show afterwards. Once again, I was reminded of God's blessings this year.

And, that brings me back to the Spirit of Christmas. This year, I saw it so clearly. God's gifts to us come in the form of families who love us, gifts from them that not only meet our needs, but exceed our dreams, chances to get to know new family members and to learn more about how to minister directly to those family members. Christmas is the time of year we choose to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and it's amazing how, even in the midst of our traditions, God can stop us for a moment and redirect us directly to Him. Left to our own choices, our Christmases would remain the empty exchange of gifts that seem to be what we want most. Instead, in His sovereignty, God redirects our gaze to Himself - for His Glory we are shown the true Spirit of Christmas.

Phillipians 2:4-11
4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even to death on a cross.9 For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow-- of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth-- 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.