Be there

Come before him with thankful hearts. Let us sing him psalms of praise. For the Lord is a great God, the great King of all gods. He controls the formation of the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains; all are his. He made the sea and formed the land; they too are his. Come, kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our God. We are his sheep, and he is our Shepherd. Oh, that you would hear him calling you today and come to him! (Psalm 95:2-7 TLB)

After over half a century on this earth, I have learned a thing or two - but I haven't learned everything I need to learn! One thing I have come to realize - not everyone will celebrate Christmas with joy, nor will all welcome it as a season to be "merry and bright". There is a heaviness of heart that engulfs some and the "season" is just not all that enjoyable. Sure enough, on the outside they give a good appearance of "getting into the spirit" of Christmas, but somewhere deep down inside, the "spirit" of Christmas just isn't moving.

While not everyone is going to celebrate Christmas with the same "gusto" or excitement, the door remains open for all to do so! God's hand will be outstretched, his heart open, and his grace overflowing - we only need to have an open heart to what he desires to do in us today. The truth of the matter is that God loves us with an intensity that goes beyond our "desire" to know him - even so far as to provide the only means by which we could come into fellowship with him. For this, we should all be thankful. For this, we should all be singing praises!

The lack of "gusto" doesn't mean someone isn't a a believer, or that they aren't solidly connected in their relationship with Christ. It may be they are under a burden they are not meant to carry alone - but they just aren't sure how to ask anyone else to help them carry it! This Christmas season, please remain open to God's leading - someone may be counting on you to recognize they aren't really "into" the spirit of the season. Someone may be waiting specifically for you to notice they need help with that burden they are bearing up under.

There is no greater service we can engage in this Christmas season than to be aware of those God puts in our path. They are there for a purpose - it is never accidental. Some will be happy - others will be downright miserable. Some will be open to sharing - others will just need you to be there as a friend. Some will realize all their wishes are coming true - still others will experience the continued disappointment of wishes not realized as of yet.

Regardless of where we are at today, there is someone just waiting for us to "be" the spirit of Christmas in their lives. It isn't about the gift we purchase - it is about the "Spirit" we bring into the relationship! Just sayin!

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