Well, the stockings are gone and the presents too. The tree
has come down and packed away until next year. My wallet’s a little
thinner and my bills seem to have grown as I work to pay what’s due after the Christmas
gift harvest has ended. So what can I share with my children and others to
ensure the real reason for the season is not forgotten? How can I address the
need to place the light of the gospel above the light of Rudolf’s red nose?
With all the marketing tactics of Christmas past, present, and future, it may
indeed take a miracle to make sure Christ reigns supreme after all the militant
shoppers have gone home and infomercials quit dancing in our heads like visions
of sugarplums (according to a favorite Christmas bedtime story).
The apostle Peter gives us some sage advice about this to
some degree. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter states (ESV): “But in your hearts honor
Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who
asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness
and respect.” There is something about God’s Word, spoken in a spirit of
gentleness and respect—or as the King James Version of Scripture states: “with
meekness and fear,” that has a powerful effect on other people.
Material things will always fail to bring continued fulfillment
over time. So we all need to be ready when God provides divine opportunities
for us to speak an encouraging word to someone who lacks the fullness that comes
in a relationship with our heavenly Father. We must speak with a spirit of
gentleness, meekness, respect, and godly fear. If God graciously gives us an
opportunity to represent Him in this divine moment, we need to make sure we
bring His gentle Spirit into that moment.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed all the Christmas
stories—spiritual and not so spiritual. I enjoy them because they evoke a spirit of selflessness and remind me of Christ's sacrificial gift to us all. The stories of Christmas convey a sense
of giving to others and helping people in their time of need. So now that
Christmas is over, pray that God will give you opportunities to share why you
had such a great time over the holidays. You had the privilege of celebrating
the gift that changed your life forever…and His name is Jesus Christ.
God's best to you!
Marshall M. Windsor, D.Min.
