Christmas is the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ. What an awesome gift God gave us on the day Christ was born. God clothed Himself in flesh and entered our physical reality as a vulnerable little baby. Oh, how He loves us! It is fitting that the Christmas season should be a time of giving. All around the world, Christians and even non-believers celebrate Christmas in some way. The map above shows how many countries celebrate Christmas as a public holiday. I find it fascinating that many, who are not Christians, still exchange gifts and practice some of the traditions. What a powerful legacy Christ left us! He taught us the value of giving, the power of love. Thus, we describe the feeling we experience from giving at this time of year as the spirit of Christmas. Even non-believers remember and honor Christ in an indirect way.
Personally, I find the Christmas season in the United States a bit too commercial and secularized. It is very difficult to find Christmas cards with a nativity scene. Christmas songs are about reindeer, rocking around the Christmas tree, jingling bells, a winter wonderland, or Frosty the snowman. I enjoy the traditional songs, like “Silent Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “What Child Is This?” Shopping becomes so stressful with people fighting for parking spots or losing patience while waiting in lines. Yet, everyone seems intent on finding that right gift for their loved ones. Despite the commercialism, those of us who exchange gifts discover that the greater joy is watching a loved one open the gift we have given, rather than opening gifts ourselves.
Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity, and therefore, exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:
Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity. Thus, he exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:
“There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies, so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man’s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.” 1
Those of us who are Christians, should strive to truly live the spirit of Christmas this year. We can be patient in those long lines. We can refuse to become upset when someone sneaks into that parking space that you had already begun to enter. We can give a gift to someone who may not expect it or make a donation for those in need. We should not neglect to thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us and our families. The greatest gift we can give to our families and friends is the gift of time. Spend more intimate time communicating in person, rather than through a text on our phones or a message on social media.
One day, I was at a restaurant having dinner. A mother was having dinner with her two children. The entire time I observed her, which was about 30 minutes, she was on her phone, texting or doing something. The two children were playing games on their phones. None of them spoke a word, except to announce that it was time to go. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity. To me this was so sad! Instead, we should spend more time with one another, sharing experiences together, laughing, creating joyous memories. When we are gone and have left this life, all that will remain for our loved ones are those treasured memories.
Personally, I find the Christmas season in the United States a bit too commercial and secularized. It is very difficult to find Christmas cards with a nativity scene. Christmas songs are about reindeer, rocking around the Christmas tree, jingling bells, a winter wonderland, or Frosty the snowman. I enjoy the traditional songs, like “Silent Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “What Child Is This?” Shopping becomes so stressful with people fighting for parking spots or losing patience while waiting in lines. Yet, everyone seems intent on finding that right gift for their loved ones. Despite the commercialism, those of us who exchange gifts discover that the greater joy is watching a loved one open the gift we have given, rather than opening gifts ourselves.
Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity, and therefore, exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:
Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity. Thus, he exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:
“There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies, so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man’s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.” 1
Those of us who are Christians, should strive to truly live the spirit of Christmas this year. We can be patient in those long lines. We can refuse to become upset when someone sneaks into that parking space that you had already begun to enter. We can give a gift to someone who may not expect it or make a donation for those in need. We should not neglect to thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us and our families. The greatest gift we can give to our families and friends is the gift of time. Spend more intimate time communicating in person, rather than through a text on our phones or a message on social media.
One day, I was at a restaurant having dinner. A mother was having dinner with her two children. The entire time I observed her, which was about 30 minutes, she was on her phone, texting or doing something. The two children were playing games on their phones. None of them spoke a word, except to announce that it was time to go. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity. To me this was so sad! Instead, we should spend more time with one another, sharing experiences together, laughing, creating joyous memories. When we are gone and have left this life, all that will remain for our loved ones are those treasured memories.
Have a beautiful Christmas filled with
God’s love and many of His blessings! May the joy of Christ’s birth fill your
hearts to overflowing!
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2018 Helen Kamenos All rights reserved
http://www.helenkamenos.com/
