Enjoying the Holiday Season
Welcome to Christmas week! I love the excitement and joy of the Holiday Season. I love spending time with friends and family celebrating the gift of one another, and most importantly, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This week seems to be the busiest of the year for many people—planning family meals, preparing to travel, and finding those last few Christmas gifts. It can be easy to take on unnecessary stress and pressure. But if you'll determine today to keep your heart and mind focused in the right direction, you'll enjoy the Holiday Season more and find the peace and contentment that God desires for you.
When we get to heaven, God isn't going to ask us how many people were on our Christmas list. He isn't going to ask us about our holiday decorations or how perfectly the table was set. There's nothing wrong with buying gifts and making our home welcome for guests, we just have to make sure that we keep our priorities in order. People are the most important thing to the heart of God, and the people in our lives should be our number one priority, too. The way we treat others, the Bible says, is the way we treat God. If we are short with others or take our frustrations out on them, it's as if we are treating God the same way. But when we bless others, when we walk in love and honor and respect them, we are honoring and respecting God.
God wants you to enjoy the Holiday Season. You are so important to Him. The way you live your life and the way you treat others matters. When the pressures of the world seem overwhelming, we have to remind ourselves that we are not here by accident; we are created in the image of God, and we have the power to influence the atmosphere around us. Set the tone with your family and loved ones by honoring and respecting them. Go the extra mile to be encouraging. Make the effort to be on time for gatherings. Stand on the common ground of peace even if you don't agree with everyone. Honor the Lord by honoring the people He has placed in your life and find enjoyment this Holiday Season.
"…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40, NIV).
This week seems to be the busiest of the year for many people—planning family meals, preparing to travel, and finding those last few Christmas gifts. It can be easy to take on unnecessary stress and pressure. But if you'll determine today to keep your heart and mind focused in the right direction, you'll enjoy the Holiday Season more and find the peace and contentment that God desires for you.
When we get to heaven, God isn't going to ask us how many people were on our Christmas list. He isn't going to ask us about our holiday decorations or how perfectly the table was set. There's nothing wrong with buying gifts and making our home welcome for guests, we just have to make sure that we keep our priorities in order. People are the most important thing to the heart of God, and the people in our lives should be our number one priority, too. The way we treat others, the Bible says, is the way we treat God. If we are short with others or take our frustrations out on them, it's as if we are treating God the same way. But when we bless others, when we walk in love and honor and respect them, we are honoring and respecting God.
God wants you to enjoy the Holiday Season. You are so important to Him. The way you live your life and the way you treat others matters. When the pressures of the world seem overwhelming, we have to remind ourselves that we are not here by accident; we are created in the image of God, and we have the power to influence the atmosphere around us. Set the tone with your family and loved ones by honoring and respecting them. Go the extra mile to be encouraging. Make the effort to be on time for gatherings. Stand on the common ground of peace even if you don't agree with everyone. Honor the Lord by honoring the people He has placed in your life and find enjoyment this Holiday Season.
"…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40, NIV).