Spirit of Christmas: Seek the fellowship of other believers
Our personal relationship with Jesus should cause a sincere effort to seek out others who also have a personal relationship with Jesus; it is part of our psychology to seek out those for fellowship who are like-minded. We should seek out fellowship with other Christians before we settle for fellowship with those who don’t know Jesus or have no desire to know Jesus. The apostle Paul understood the important role that fellowship plays in the life of the believer and encourages us to seek out other believers: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). This is probably one of the most difficult things to do – especially when we have life-long friends that do not know the Lord. However, if we are completely honest with ourselves, we’ve tried to continue those friendships, often overlooking or even participating in things because of those friendships we’ve later regretted doing, witnessing, or even have felt the need to confess and repent because of them.
Paul understood the impact that our associations and friendships play in influencing our lives. We see this stern warning Paul has given also reflected in Proverbs: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17). Let’s face it, there are two types of friendships – those that bring us closer to the Lord and those that pull us back from Him. Because of our need to feel accepted and appreciated, if we have more friends that are worldly, we are more likely to sacrifice our relationship with the Lord – whom we cannot see, in favor of our friends – whom we can see. When we think back to those days of childhood where our parents were concerned with those we were hanging out with, urging us to choose our friends carefully so to avoid bad influences. It is actually very wise advice and something we need to continue throughout our life. We need to make friendships with those who will strengthen our faith and will draw us closer to the Lord.
Spirit of Christmas: Jesus allows for appreciation
Our personal relationship with Jesus will allow us to appreciate the importance and true meaning of Christmas. Christmas – the recognition and celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ – which is the greatest gift ever given to mankind. Within this gift by God, mankind finds forgiveness and redemption. Our salvation allows us to enjoy the true meaning of the Christmas season and will allow us to continue it throughout the year, regardless of the circumstances around us. When we consider the reason we set December 25th aside, which is to honor Jesus’ birth, and add what He was teaching Nicodemus: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-18). There are two other verses that come to mind when I think of the real meaning of Christmas: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) and And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). And to think, we can be a small part of God’s greatest gift for mankind when we share the gospel with those around us! Knowing that we have the truth about Christmas and God’s gift to mankind should allow us to carry the Christmas spirit of giving throughout the year.
