The After Christmas, Christmas
“… be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4: 32)
There is a Peanuts Cartoon in which Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “‘Tis the season of peace on earth good will toward men. I suppose we ought to be a little kinder toward each other.”
The ever hopeful Charlie responds, “It’s a shame we can’t make it last all year.” To which Lucy retorts, “What are you, some kind of religious fanatic?”
Compliance with Charlie’s idea would make for a better world. Don’t expect it to be lived out by others at all times. There are always Scrooges. They can find fault or failure in the best of things and most positive of comments. But wait, that is no reason we have to respond in kind. We can always engulf them in kindness and shower them with thoughtfulness.
Regardless of the attitude and spirit of others, you can model the wise men who left their visit with the infant Jesus, glorifying and praising God. Upbeat all! Go ahead and risk being considered some sort of religious fanatic.
Most people you encounter will have some load they are carrying. You can help lighten their load by having an uplifting spirit. Consider yourself an ambassador of the Lord Jesus on assignment to share His love with the least, the lost, and the last. Your assignment is to share “peace on earth good will toward men” – – – and women, children also.
Don’t be concerned with the response. That is their responsibility for which they are accountable.
Just as some people brighten up a room just by walking out you can resolve to brighten up any room you walk in.
Would you like to have more positive friends? By answering this simple question you can answer for yourself how to develop them. Do you like to be around upbeat people? Likely the answer is yes. So do others. Therefore, by being upbeat you attract others who are upbeat. It is within your ability to do it.
Who wants to be around people who are negative, complain a lot, or have nothing good to say? In fact, most of us run when we see them coming. Instead, be the kind of upbeat person who lights up a room with your spiritual energy.
Former President Calvin Coolidge somewhat spelled out the spirit Charlie Brown had in mind when he said, “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
There are 365 days in the potential New Year. Resolve to meet the challenge of Charlie Brown. Better still the charge given in Scripture, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous….” (I Peter 3: 8)