FACT: I really don't have time to blog today! FACT: I really couldn't help myself. HOPE: This blog doesn't take me too long to say what I need to say!
The first thing I opened my eyes to this morning was a text update from our local news station. It reported that right here in our little town...there had been a shooting. No details were available except for the fact that one had been Life Watched to a Wichita hospital in critical condition. My first thoughts...."the holidays!" With all the joy and happiness many of us feel this time of year.....others feel just as much pain and despair......sometimes resulting in a very bad outcome.
Trying to put the report out of my head and getting the kids ready for school...I glanced at facebook to find that my cousin had put up a newspaper story about a man in a little town not far from where she lives, who was arrested for public intoxication. Apparently he was sitting on the street corner repeating that no one loved him. Some might snicker at this or even find it down right funny....but I find it tragic. Again....I couldn't help but wonder if it were the holidays spurring this on?
This morning put my mind into overdrive. Yes....I am writing this as a Christian and reaching out to other Christians. The Christmas season...if you take away all the presents, shopping, decorations...glitter and glitz all comes down to one thing. The birth of Our Lord. This is the time of year that Christians should be remembering that God gave the world a gift that we can never hope to deserve. He gave us His son...the Savior He had promised. He didn't give Him to us in great wealth but in poverty so that we could see that how much money you have, how big a tree or how many presents simply don't matter. It is what is inside us and how we welcome this tiny King in our hearts that really matters.
A year ago today I lost a dear friend....Sunny. She was young....way to young to die, but in her short life, she taught me more about being a Christian and the true meaning of Christmas than anyone I have ever known. Her faith was astronomical and her kindness and generosity where unmatched by most. Many was the time she showed me that no matter who you were talking to, their beliefs and yes....even their political persuasions....that they should always be handled with love and kindness. Once she told me...."When in doubt...pray!" Those words have always stuck with me.
So where am I going with all of this? This is the Christmas season! While most of us will shop, buy gifts, give gifts and enjoy the lights, the parties and the decorations....let us not forget that the Reason for the Season is Jesus. Perhaps if we remember this then we will see those we pass with different eyes and remember that not everyone will be with family this season. Not everyone's family will be whole, not everyone's health will be good, not everyone will have a home and not everyone will have someone to share the holiday with. It is an easy time of year for some to lose hope in themselves and those around them. So maybe... if while we are out doing our Christmas shopping or just simply out running errands....we smile at those around us a little more, we use patience in those long lines and we keep our words kind and our actions helpful who knows....maybe we will turn someones day around and give hope to someone who has all but lost it.
And for all those we know who are hurting and struggling this time of year and we don't know what to do for them. In the words of my dear friend Sunny....."When in doubt...pray!"
8 comments:
So only christians can be nice his time of year? What about Jews, Muslims, Atheists and the rest of the real world? I find this very discriminatory. Maybe you think that christians are the only ones who can be kind. Let me tell you that I know christians that are anything but kind. This might have been a nice blog had you included everyone and not just christians!
Well, maybe if you had read the entire blog you might have understood that she spoke out to Christians because CHRISTmas is a Christian holiday. Last I knew, Christians were the only ones who believed in the birth of Christ and that is what she was pointing out here. I don't think she was excluding anyone but she was saying that Christians especially should remember Christs birth and what it means to both them and the world. What she was speaking of, most of you don't want to think about or acknowledge (the birth of Christ)any way. Kindness though is all inclusive. Great blog and great reminder to Christians.
Anonymous, why would she speak to anyone but Christians? We are the only ones that believe in the birth of Jesus. She was not talking about the holiday where we spend money like crazy people and try to outdo our neighbors with decorations. She was speaking of the true meaning of Christmas and how we as "Christians" should hold it in our hearts and share it with others. If you don't believe in the birth of Jesus or Jesus at all, then how could this possibly effect you? If you are kind this time of year then great and you can show it right now by apologizing to cmom for your rudeness towards her blog. Nice blog by the way.
Not likely that I will apologize. She blatantly left out most people in the world to focus on one group. If she was being such a christian why didn't she include everyone in her kindness schpeil? Instead she wrote as if christians were the only ones capable of such an act. I give money to charities, I give money to the food pantries and I buy gifts for people on the angel tree. I guess though, because I am not a christian this doesn't count. Yeah, real christian attitude.
Anonymous you yourself said it. You give "money" to charities, food pantries and for gifts. That is not what she was speaking of. She was speaking of seeing people as if they were Jesus. In the bible (and I am not quoting) it says whenever you do for someone in need (spiritually or physically) you are doing for Christ. She is taking about giving from your heart and giving of yourself, not just giving money. No one is saying that you are not a kind person and no one is saying that you aren't charitable. All she was saying that Christians ESPECIALLY should be diligent this time of year. This whole thing is a bit ridiculous. If she wrote a blog and was talking specifically to Jews or Atheists, I would not take such offense and no where did she say that everyone should not be kind and giving. She simply said Christians especially.
Just to clear up any misconceptions. I was speaking "as" a Christian "to" other Christians because this is a Christian holiday we are speaking of. In fact in the Catholic faith it is a Holy day. I trust that people of other faiths and beliefs spread charity and kindness in their own way and because Christmas is no more to them/you than another day off work (meaning wise of course) I figured you were equally kind and charitable throughout the year. Christians though...because this is such a special time of year for us, need to pick up the pace and really think about just how special it is. If you choose to be offended by my blogs or my words...I will honestly "not be" offended if you choose to dispense with further readings of my blog and/or further comments. Merry Christmas!
Very nice blog. Ignore those who wish to start problems and have to recount to you their "charitable" deeds.
Beautiful. I have a friend who is going through a very bad time this season. The holidays are overwhelming for him. I try to help but not sure he even wants help. As a Christian myself, sometimes I forget that the greatest help we can be is often and simply praying for them. Your blog and your friends words brought that back to mind. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all.
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