The Holidays
The holidays can be a trying time for most of us. Between immigrants that have settled here in America over the past 250+ years infusing a wide variety of religions and traditions into the mainstream of America and the commercial outlets that have glorified Santa Claus and the celebration of his yearly visits with mandatory events of feasting and gift-giving for its own sake, the ‘holiday season’ has expanded to span the entire last quarter of the year. Starting today, September 1 until the beginning of the New Year, religions and traditions have proscribed corporate activities with seasons and feasts and prayers and music, and tradition complete with color and form that can overwhelm our individual expressions. Everyone is expected tofocus on being thankful and to forgive and be forgiven – pass and repass with people who are at odds with us – just basically enjoy good will towards our fellow man. For the disciple of Jesus, the Christmas season of old – a few days each year set apart to remember the coming of the Messiah, the birth of the Christ - can get overshadowed by the frenzy.
This year in particular has been one fraught with tough issues – lockdowns, mask mandates, vaccination controversies, stimulus money – that are proving divisive and destructive to social groups. Even at the church and family levels, people are taking extreme stands on both sides and the result has been devastating for a peaceful state of existence. And now, with the turn of the calendar, we are supposed to focus our minds on thankfulness, forgiveness, and ‘peace on earth; good will towards men.’
Why is this so hard for us? It is mandated for the believer by the Savior for us to do exactly these things all year long, so why any different this time of year? Here’s a thought – maybe it’s because we are engaging in the behavior hoping it will bring about the feeling instead of actually having the feelings that produce the desire to engage in the behavior. So how do you manufacture the desire to forgive? To be patient and kind and gentle and meek? To love others the way God does in the face of so much provocation to think otherwise this year?
Easy. You don’t. You seek the Lord in ALL these things. It is only through the Holy Spirit of the Living God dwelling in us that creates these desires in us. We can be so full of His love that the joy and peace we feel spills out onto those around us. THAT is the true joy. Take the time TODAY to prepare your heart for the holiday season. Ask God to fill you up and give you ample opportunity to shine His light. Having a ‘plan of action’ for His glory will guarantee hope, joy, love and peace in your heart.
Be blessed.
