A common theme among Christmas quotes is the idea that the spirit of Christmas shouldn’t be confined to a single day.
Of course, different people mean different things when they talk about the spirit of Christmas.
- Love.
- Joy.
- Goodwill.
- Kindness.
- Giving … and receiving.
Truly, all of these attitudes are part of Christmas. And yes, it would be wonderful if we didn’t pack them away with the ornaments and lights and stockings and DVDs of It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.
But for me, honoring Christmas in my heart all through the year means more than stirring up my emotions. I want to remember that the very first Christmas was a reflection of God’s heart toward all of mankind. That the first Christmas was an expression of God’s love for us. That the angels sang good tidings of great joy at the birth of Jesus. That God’s will toward us was good … his thoughts and actions toward us are woven through with lovingkindness. And that the ultimate expression of giving and receiving is expressed in God incarnate.
One Christmas Eve, I visited a congregation where the pastor suggested not packing away our nativity scenes when Christmas was over. Rather, we should keep the figures out somewhere we could see them for the next 12 months until it was time to celebrate Jesus’ birth again. Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus. The cattle. The shepherds and the sheep. The Wise Men.
What a practical way to honor Christmas … to keep it all the year.
In Your Words: How do you honor Christmas in your heart, keeping it all through the year?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”kj7B6″ via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: Honoring #Christmas http://ctt.ec/kj7B6+ #InOthersWords #quotesaboutChristmas @bethvogt[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”0COY7″ via=”yes” ]”I will honor #Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” http://ctt.ec/0COY7+ #CharlesDickens #quotes @bethvogt[/ctt]
Comments 11
WWJD, always.
Author
Succinct truth, once again, my friend.
I love, love, love this post! I think it’s a great idea to keep “baby Jesus on the mantle,” to remind us each week when we dust that He left His throne to come down here to die. I think I’ll put it right next to my old wooden church with the cross in the window.
Yes, I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year long. (Sounds like a club pledge. A good club.)
Author
Love that, Angie — yes, a club pledge. A good club. 🙂
I love this! I’ve often said I wished everyone was as nice and kind the rest of the year as they are at Christmas. And that’s what I want to do. Be kind to everyone like I am in this Season.
Author
We’re all in agreement it seems today, Pat!
I testify that Pat (above) is exactly that. And the Singing Christmas Tree at her church last night w/ a 6-min. overview cleverly incorporating O.T. prophecies preparing anticipating our Savior’s birth and pointing to the victorious cross were ALL breathtaking. I cannot recall being that impressed with a Christmas program before–great job and people giving us lots to carry forward. Thanks, Beth.
Author
I would love to have been there with you last night, Dee! 🙂
I wish you could have been there with us, Beth! It was great. It’s such fun introducing Delores to everyone!
It’s because of you that I have a small nativity set out on a shelf all year ’round. I looked at it last February and wondered why I’d forgotten to put it away. And then I remembered. Because I wanted to remember the gift God gave us . . . and the gift we can be for each other.
How do I live Christmas through the year? I guess I try to share kindness with those around me. I try to love well. And I do this with varying degrees of success. 🙂
Author
I’ve kept a nativity out ever since that sermon — probably 3 years now. I think I’ll move the location this year.