Christmas Spirit

Christmas stresses me out. Because I don't know quite how to fit it into my life, my faith, and my priorities. Over the years, Christmas has definitely become a time Brett and I spent with family. Often this is the only time of year we spend with them. And at the same time we are running from house, to house, to house, never really spending time with any of them. And people say "what do you want for Christmas" and I think I don't really need anything, but here's some ideas of things I'd like to have... and I can't help but feel guilty when my mind wanders back to faces and families of those who have nothing but their faith and the clothes on their backs. And I feel blessed, and loved, and spoiled, and unworthy when I think of all I've received each Christmas.
On the other hand, I absolutely love Christmas. I love the music and how the songs are sung by each generation. I love the decorations. I love the smell of pine. I love the baking. I love the movies. I love the energy that seems to surround everyone at this time of year. I love the thrill of finding the perfect gift for someone you love. I love that even people who don't normally think about God, still pause and know that Jesus is the beginnings of what we are celebrating.
So, I came across this quote on another site that resonated with this Christmas struggle of mine, and thought I would share it with you...

“The Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor—spending and being spent to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others—and not just their own friends—in whatever way there seems to be a need….If we desire spiritual quickening for ourselves individually, one step we should take is to seek to cultivate this spirit. -JI Packer "God Incarnate" (emphasis mine)

‘You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Cor 8:9).”

May you find the spirit of Christmas...