It is not unusual to hear or say-and I have-that Thanksgiving should be and is to be more than one day out of the year. Thanksgiving should be 24/7/365. The inference (although it is more than just inferred or implied) is that the spirit of Thanksgiving is so dominant in us that it weaves its way into every day of the year.
What would that mean if I said, “Christmas ought to be every day of the year? Does that mean we ought to have candy and cookies and eggnog and gifts and the other trappings of Christmas all year ’round? (I can say you will have a hard time with me saying no when it involves chocolate. But I digress… 🙂 )
In all seriousness, what does that mean? Seemingly endless shopping? No. Lights and decorations all year ’round? No. A tree in the foyer or living room? No on all counts. To say Christmas all year ’round is to have the attitude we find in Philippians 2: “Have this mind (attitude) among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” Paul had just been talking about doing nothing out of selfishness or conceit. But instead, we are to look out for the interest of others.
THAT’S the spirit of Christmas! Humility. Selflessness. Who couldn’t benefit from an attitude like that displayed. Giving our lives away for the sake of the Gospel.
“Father, may my life exhibit the Christmas spirit of humility and selflessness all year ’round. May Christmas not be just a once a year event but a lifestyle of giving myself away on a daily basis.”
Please check out Diane at Hadarah and Ed at WORD! for other Christmas Challenge offerings.
Selflessness and humility . . . that’s the ticket, all year long, Bill! May love come down at Christmas and stay with us throughout the year.
Blessings!
I agree Martha. It is something we all need.
YES! I love this post. And I ditto your prayer.
Thanks Diane.
I definitely wouldn’t want to have to shop for gifts every day of the year; it’s the hardest part of Christmas for this non-shopping girl. 🙂 But if year-round we looked out for the interest of others? The world would be a different place. Thanks for the spirit-check, Bill.
I feel your pain lisa. I am not big on that either. But sharing myself? It is something worth doing.
“Give until you cannot give any more, then give anyways”
Something we all need to keep in mind… especially me!!!
Thanks Bill!