The True Spirit of Christmas

The True Spirit of Christmas 1 John 4:10

On Christmas Eve, I dreamed I traveled all around the world and in my dream I saw and heard ways different people hailed the King whose star shone in the east. What a dream it was. In London town I walked around Piccadilly Circus a mass of people moving here and there I wondered where. On every face at every place was hurry up I’m late. But a kind old man at a chestnut stand said, “Merry Christmas Mate” and I felt the Christmas Spirit then a little town nestled down in Bavarian Germany I walked along to see what the feeling there would be. And here again was the busy den the rushing the yelling but some kind voice said, Foulish megnoting, not understanding the words, forgetting the buying and selling I felt the Christmas Spirit In Bethlehem I heard a hymn some distant Choir sang. And with other tourist I walked along to a church while it’s bells rang, Then I heard someone tell someone there’s where Christ was born. I wonder if he looked like our baby looked on that first morn. And then I really felt the Christmas Spirit From a business man in the holy land at a sidewalk souvenir shop I bought a little Bible since I’d already stopped. It was in Paris France somehow by chance that I took the Bible out and as I flipped the pages I saw these words and I knew what it was all about for I read, Fear not, for behold I bring you great tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord Then I took the little holy book held it close and tight I closed my eyes and visualized the glory of that night So suddenly it came to me for when I woke on Christmas day I felt the Christmas Spirit down deep inside to stay.

What is the Christmas Spirit? A warm fuzzy feeling you get when you’re together with friends and family at Christmas time? Or maybe the glow on the children’s eyes as they see the presents under the tree, or the hustle and bustle of shoppers as they scurry to and fro in search of that perfect gift. Maybe it’s the traditions that family keep, the baking of cookies on Christmas Eve, or monkey bread on Christmas morning or whatever the traditions are. I have to say NO, that isn’t the true Christmas Spirit, although none of those are bad. I think the scripture tells us plainly what the true Christmas Spirit is – selfless, sacrificial love – Look at this God loved us so much He SENT His Son, His only Son.

I like the story that I’m sure you have all heard of the young poor couple who didn’t have much, he had a nice pocket watch, and she had beautiful hair. He sold his watch to get her a beautiful hair set, she sold her beautiful hair to get him a nice watch chain. They were willing to give the last thing they had for each other. That is selfless, sacrificial love.

For God so loved the World that He gave (One wrote – Mary wrapped a present to the World) His only begotten Son. He gave,

Jesus summed up the purpose of Christmas Himself – The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 83 times he called himself the Son of Man. It is the distinctive term that speaks of his personal relationship and identification with all the children of men. .. He didn’t come to be a teacher; you cannot find a single page he ever wrote. Nor can you by digging in the ruins of Jerusalem find a foundation for any college he established. He did not come to originate a new philosophy, or to build an earthly kingdom neither did he come to inaugurate a new social order, or to head up a religious sect he came, and he told us this himself I come to seek and to save that which was lost. His code was not, “A new coat of every man, but a New Man in every coat” That’s what the angel meant when he whispered to Mary that first Christmas “call His name Jesus, He shall save his people from their sins”

So we see the Spirit and purpose of Christmas, LOVE. Not just saying I love you but Living I love you.

Christmas, Jesus

In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage.

As it neared the holiday season, the orphans heard the traditional Christmas story for the first time. The Americans told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem; and after finding no room in the inn, Mary and Joseph went to a stable, where Jesus was born and placed in the manger.

Throughout the story, the children listened in amazement. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. As a follow-up activity to the story, each child was given three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manager. Each child was also given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins that the children tore into strips, and then carefully laid in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel from a discarded nightgown were used for the baby's blanket. Pieces of tan felt were used for the doll-like baby.

As they made their way around the room to observe the children, one of the Americans noted, "All went well until I got to one table where 6-year-old Misha sat. He appeared to have finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see, not one, but two, babies in the manger! Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger."

The observer noted Misha very accurately recalled the story that had been told until he came to the part where Mary put Jesus in the manger. "Misha then started to ad lib his own ending," recalls the observer.

"And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no momma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did.

I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. So I asked Jesus, if I kept Him warm, would that be a good enough gift? And Jesus told me, 'If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' So, I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and told me I could stay with him -- for always!"

As Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table, and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon or abuse him, someone who would stay with him -- for always!