Christmas Spirit
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Col 3:12-14 NIV)
The Christmas season is here again in the mountains of
my home. Everywhere you can see lights going up on buildings, houses, and
trees. Everywhere you can also see faces lighted up with smiles and hearts
lighted up with God’s love. The snow is sparkling on the ground and the eyes
of young children are sparkling with joy as well. People are buying gifts
for loved ones but are also sharing the glorious gift of the Christmas
Spirit with everyone they meet. It is a very special time of the year, and I
cherish every second of it.
If I had one wish, in fact, it would be that this wonderful Spirit of
Christmas would live on in our hearts, minds, and souls all through the
year. I know that it is possible too, because I have seen a few beautiful
souls who manage to keep the love, laughter, light, kindness, joy, and
oneness with God alive inside of them everyday of the year. For them
everyday is Christmas and every moment is a glorious sharing of the
Christmas Spirit.
There is no reason too why all of us can’t do the same. If there is one
thing I have learned in this life it is that every second of every day here
on Earth is either a choice we make or a choice we let others make for us.
I, for one, choose the light. I choose the love. I choose the joy. I choose
the giving, caring, helping, and sharing. I choose the glorious oneness with
God. I choose the wondrous Christmas Spirit everyday of my life and I choose
to share it with everyone.
Leo Buscaglia once wrote that "We will have finally mastered the meaning of
Christmas when Christmas becomes a way of life." Make Christmas your way of
life. Make your spirit one with the Christmas Spirit. Fill your heart, mind,
and soul full to overflowing with God’s love and joy and then make them your
Christmas presents to the world.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella