Every Christian should be filled with the Spirit during the holiday season as a witness to our goodwill, charity, and good cheer during the happiest time of year even for the unbeliever who shares in the common grace of God given to all to change hearts. Yes, God softens the hardest heart and can make it like His own by a work of grace. Christmas is a bonanza of opportunity to be a Christian witness to the unsaved and to show what our faith really stands for--peace, goodwill toward all. For we alone know the true meaning of Christmas. At no other time of year do we hear Christmas carols on the radio and in the stores as a matter of course. Even infidels would agree that it's the most wonderful and wonder-filled time of the year. Not to mention: This season has a way of changing people and making them realize that Christianity does have some substance--it's not all pie-in-the-sky or even religiosity. And no one wants to be a Scrooge or a Grinch!
Some Christians may even not feel like celebrating the season and believe that since the early church didn't and it's not Scriptural that something about it may be un-Christian. By the same token, Christians celebrate Thanksgiving not because it's biblical, but because Christians of all people should be examples of owing a debt of gratitude to God and we cannot thank Him enough. This also is a time to share our Spirit with the unbeliever. I believe that Thanksgiving had Puritan roots and it had the intention of giving thanks to God. If there were no God, we would have no reason for the celebration and no one to thank! It is a time of national recognition of God whether people admit it and realize it or not. It is one of the days some go to church that otherwise never go and do get the opportunity to hear the real meaning of the season.
Do you have the Christmas spirit? Everyone has their own way of getting into the mood from listening to music to fellowship. The spirit of Christmas manifests itself in manifold ways. That's why believers of all people should be examples of good cheer and have the spirit of giving (as Jesus said that it's more blessed to give than to receive). For we realize that it is in giving that we receive and everyone has something to give--even sacrifice of time and labor if one is destitute. I wish the season would not just be for the weeks of Advent but the Christian spirit would endure the whole year round--what an open door that would be! It is not carnal to enjoy or sing secular Christmas songs like enjoying the myth of it as well (e.g., Santa, a white Christmas, the decor of Christmas trees and lights, mistletoe, winter wonderland, stockings, and whatever tradition has wrought). It's not a sin to be sentimental and enjoy giving and receiving presents as long as one realizes that's not the focus and purpose of the holiday season.
Many families have traditions for the season and even make it quality family time. There's nothing wrong with tradition as long as it doesn't controvert Scripture, but it must bow to conviction and not take precedence over the spiritual or scriptural--keeping things in perspective! But when we become the slave of tradition or it dictates our choices, there's something amiss. Every family has a right to have private gatherings and traditions of its own. As a family affair, it's a miracle to see Christmas through the eyes of a child filled with wonder.
Some Christians may even not feel like celebrating the season and believe that since the early church didn't and it's not Scriptural that something about it may be un-Christian. By the same token, Christians celebrate Thanksgiving not because it's biblical, but because Christians of all people should be examples of owing a debt of gratitude to God and we cannot thank Him enough. This also is a time to share our Spirit with the unbeliever. I believe that Thanksgiving had Puritan roots and it had the intention of giving thanks to God. If there were no God, we would have no reason for the celebration and no one to thank! It is a time of national recognition of God whether people admit it and realize it or not. It is one of the days some go to church that otherwise never go and do get the opportunity to hear the real meaning of the season.
Do you have the Christmas spirit? Everyone has their own way of getting into the mood from listening to music to fellowship. The spirit of Christmas manifests itself in manifold ways. That's why believers of all people should be examples of good cheer and have the spirit of giving (as Jesus said that it's more blessed to give than to receive). For we realize that it is in giving that we receive and everyone has something to give--even sacrifice of time and labor if one is destitute. I wish the season would not just be for the weeks of Advent but the Christian spirit would endure the whole year round--what an open door that would be! It is not carnal to enjoy or sing secular Christmas songs like enjoying the myth of it as well (e.g., Santa, a white Christmas, the decor of Christmas trees and lights, mistletoe, winter wonderland, stockings, and whatever tradition has wrought). It's not a sin to be sentimental and enjoy giving and receiving presents as long as one realizes that's not the focus and purpose of the holiday season.
Many families have traditions for the season and even make it quality family time. There's nothing wrong with tradition as long as it doesn't controvert Scripture, but it must bow to conviction and not take precedence over the spiritual or scriptural--keeping things in perspective! But when we become the slave of tradition or it dictates our choices, there's something amiss. Every family has a right to have private gatherings and traditions of its own. As a family affair, it's a miracle to see Christmas through the eyes of a child filled with wonder.
We have to realize that everyone is at a different level spiritually and some people need to just have their hearts softened and to realize that Christianity has something to offer the world. As long as we do not lose focus on the true meaning of Christmas--that Jesus is the reason for the season! NB: Santa, or Saint Nicklaus, was a Christian and cannot help it that such a legend has been concocted about him throughout the centuries. Would he turn in his grave?
And therefore we should all agree that Christians of all people should have the Christmas spirit and manifest it in whatever way they can. We need not fear to get sentimental and letting our feelings show, for Christmas is different strokes to different folks. THEREFORE, SPREAD A LITTLE CHEER, YOU'LL BE ALL THE BETTER WITNESS FOR CHRIST DOING IT AND SOMEONE MAY SEE A GLIMPSE OF CHRIST IN YOU. In sum, don't be afraid that it's unbiblical to spread a little Christmas cheer to the world as a witness during the time of the open door. Soli Deo Gloria!
And therefore we should all agree that Christians of all people should have the Christmas spirit and manifest it in whatever way they can. We need not fear to get sentimental and letting our feelings show, for Christmas is different strokes to different folks. THEREFORE, SPREAD A LITTLE CHEER, YOU'LL BE ALL THE BETTER WITNESS FOR CHRIST DOING IT AND SOMEONE MAY SEE A GLIMPSE OF CHRIST IN YOU. In sum, don't be afraid that it's unbiblical to spread a little Christmas cheer to the world as a witness during the time of the open door. Soli Deo Gloria!