When you think of Christmas time, what comes to mind? A song tells us ‘tis the season to be jolly. While some celebrate Christmas, others do not. Various customs and rituals are rehearsed at this time of year. As the debates about using the terms Christmas or Holiday gains new momentum, some are offended at the use of either term. Let us come together. Can we agree to agree? ‘Tis the season!

At this time of year people travel to be with family and friends. Gifts are given and received. People celebrate the blessings and successes of the year. Recapitulations abound! It is a good thing to rehearse the favorable, outcomes of diligence. It is an outstanding practice to notice lessons learned. Applying those learnings to new situations requires us to examine our challenges too. I am certain that when we give to others, out of a loving heart everyone benefits.

Those receiving gifts have needs met in their lives. Those giving benefit by the meeting of the needs of others. The work of the few is lessened when the many work together.

The gifts we have to offer range from monetary amounts to time. Included are the God-given talents we have received, gratis. We all have something in abundance that we can afford to give to others. Explore the ways you can give. Programs exist that cuddle babies in the hospital. There are organizations that prepare home cooked meals for foster families. One can volunteer to write grants for nonprofit organizations, tutor youth, mentor youth, or so many other ways to contribute your gifts to the lives of others.

Giving to others and recognizing the value of your gifts is a superb way to lift your spirits.

‘Tis the Season

Many volunteer to give to others at this time of year. Whatever your lifestyle, income or ethnicity, can we agree that anytime of the year to give to others is a time that we are to all join hands, roll up our sleeves and get the job done. ‘Tis the season. What would happen if we all found a way to come together, at this time of year, to give, out of our abundance, whatever it may be?

What if we could agree at least once a year, no matter whether you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, to come together on one accord and give to others? What if we could set aside our differences of denomination, sect, faction, region or whatever keeps us from peaceful coexistence, and join our efforts in this season?

Perhaps the “halls” and our lives would be “decked” with the joy that comes from loving our neighbor as ourselves. What if the time and energy spent highlighting our differences was focused on coming together at least once in twelve months to celebrate our innate gifts? What would the benefit be to us all? Is it possible that the chain of giving would become an all-inclusive circle? Could it be that the plan is for us to give to each other until everyone is included in the giving? How will we know?

Part of our purpose, yours and mine, is connected to our ability to love others as we love ourselves. If our purpose was not linked to that love connection, when Jesus the Christ, was asked what is the great commandment would he have said something other than what appears in the record of the account found in the book of Matthew Chapter 22 verses 34-40:

^34-36 When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”

^37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (The Message Version)

It is the season, if there ever was, to love your neighbor as yourself.

Extend yourself in a different way this year. Show what your heart is made of, ‘tis the season!

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”