Christmas Faith, Hope and Love
Author: Pat Aman…
Faith, Hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
I Corinthians 13:1-8, 13
As I walk through the stores either shopping for gifts or groceries, I hummm along with the music playing on the store intercoms.
I smile and say Merry Christmas, and some people smile and greet me back, while others look at me like I must be crazy.
But, if I am crazy, that means I am crazy 365 days a year.
Whether it is Christmas or just a regular day, I try to keep the Spirit of Jesus shining through me every day, all year long.
What is the Christmas spirit?
The Christmas Spirit, if you ask 10 people what the Christmas spirit is, you’ll probably get 7 to 8 different answers.
- Decorating
- Buying gifts
- Church Programs
- The Birth of Jesus
- Family and Friends
- Stress
- Shopping
- Vacation
Going beyond those different answers, there is something, the Christmas spirit, that makes people more selfless, more friendly, more kind, and generally much nicer people at Christmas.
Unfortunately, due to commercialism and other factors, it seems like the transformation the Christmas spirit brought about in years passed has lessened more and more.
What is the definition of Christmas spirit?
The “Christmas spirit” is not found in gifts, trees, and lights?
No!
It’s found in the joy of knowing that the history-changing story of Christ’s birth is true! The Christmas spirit is sharing the Joy and Love of Jesus Christ to everyone, everywhere!
Fifty years ago when Christmas was still seen as more of a Christian Celebration and a family time of faith, love and charity, Christmas had an element in it where people felt it was a good thing to do to be a little more tolerant of the misdeeds of others, to be a little more charitable. People showed a little extra tolerance and love for each other and even the animals around them.
Today you see very little of that.
Today we treat such sentiments with suspicion and take the inspiration out of it by referring to it as holiday instead. The Christmas spirit was a thing of extra tolerance and love based on the teachings of Jesus Holiday.
This Christmas we need to remember there is a God who loves us, and on Christmas He gave us the ultimate gift. He sent His only son, Jesus, and we celebrate his birth this time of year.
Both during Christmas time and throughout the rest of the year, we deal with stress, like family and relationship problems, health struggles, finanical issues, and more. However, Christmas is a reminder that God cares for us and loves us.
So grab a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or tea. Sit back, take a deep breathe and inhale the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christmas.
Merry CHRISTmas,
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat
Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……
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