It’s that time of the year again. The stores are blasting Christmas music, that Christmas tree smell is in the air, and you can’t help but get some of that “Christmas spirit” rubbed on you. You wipe out your year long savings, gain more pounds than you are proud of, and treat yourself “one more time” before the new year resolutions kick in and you, along with your wallet are forced into the cold harsh stare of reality and the turning of a page into a brand new year.

Has any of this ever happened to you?

Yes, it can be easy to sometimes mask self-indulgence with good intentions. As a Christian, it can sometimes be a challenge not to get dragged along under the heavy wave of frivolity that seems to mar Christmas season. However, it is because of such painfully distorted idea of Christmas that the world seems to have, that is our duty a Christians to take hold of this once a year opportunity to shine a bright light on a world that somehow seems to have missed the true reason for the season.

The Bible does not mention the date of our Savior’s birth. However, Christ came to be born and to die for our sins and that is reason enough to celebrate every day of the year.

It’s all about the motives

What’s yours?

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
– Isaiah 9:6

Why do you celebrate Christmas? Is it to honor the self, or is it to Honor God? Is it to pig out on Christmas Eve? Or is it to feed the hungry? Is it to go on a shopping spree? Or is it to cloth the naked? The King of the Universe chose to defile Himself for the sake of a fallen human race. He left it all for you and for me. This is what the Christmas Spirit is about; a spirit of self-denial, selflessness, and unconditional love. These are not traits of character that we get to dust off and display once a year like Christmas ornaments, or at least they shouldn’t be.

Making the most of it

So, how can we make the most of this holiday season?

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
-James 1:27

If you are looking for ways to celebrate this Christmas, here are 10 practical ways in which to celebrate this holiday season:

1. Cook a meal and share with the homeless in your area
2. Drive around town delivering blankets and clothes to those in need
3. Do some housekeeping on an elderly’s house
4. Visit someone in jail and share the love of Jesus
5. Visit the nursing home and sing to the elderly
6. Visit an Orphanage and bring toys to donate to the kids
7. Visit someone who is sick and offer to pray with them
8. Spend quality time with your family
9. Volunteer at the local food bank
10. Help a student in need

Go ahead, dare to step out of your comfort zone 🙂

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends
– John 15:13