the season of hope

Christmas can mean a lot of different things to a lot of people.  If the Christmas season is properly viewed, one can expect a time of joy and an impartation of hope.  There are some folks who can’t seem to catch the spirit of Christmas.  Some have had bad experiences and others outgrew the fun of gathering.  If you’re one of those who can find no good reason for Christmas, go find some kids and watch them light up with joy.
 
I loved Christmas as a young boy but I joined the Navy just after graduation.  I no longer had access to the family traditions I came to love.  It is very difficult to have a Christmas on a ship full of scrooges.  You spend a lot of time with a lot of men who stand around feeling sorry for themselves.  My tour of duty ended in the month of October, so my next Christmas with family was only two months away.  Christmas with family was much better but I lost something I once craved.
 
Luke 6:38 Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure and pressed down…
 
I had yet to meet Jesus, I knew a little about Him but never knew Him.  I didn’t know this Scripture in Luke’s Gospel.  I thought to myself if I can’t have a joyful Christmas like I once had, then I would help others have a worth while time.  I bought gifts for the children in my family and for some kids who had no father.  As a young boy I demanded presents but now I was giving to other people.  Making good things happen for others is really what Christmas is all about.  Later I learned you can do this year round and keep the Christmas spirit alive and functioning.
 
I know people who were abused growing up and they never had anything.  In order to protect themselves they became self centered and selfish.  My heart goes out to these folks because Christmas is a real struggle for them.  My mother loved all six of her children and she would go in debt to give each one of us a Christmas to remember.  I think my mother’s desire to bless others has rubbed off on me, I hope I can help people one way or another to enjoy Christmas. 
 
John 3:16 God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.
 
God is not a respector of persons, He loves every one in the world no matter how naughty they are.  When love gives a gift it is always unconditional, there are no strings attached.  God is love and He wants to give us something we cannot give ourselves.  It is our choice to accept His love or shun it, no one in their right mind would ever reject the gift of salvation.  Currently there are a lot of people who are not in their right mind and they really need the Christmas spirit.  God wants to give the best gift a man could possibly receive to every one.  If you have the gift of life, Christmas time is a good opportunity to let the Holy Child Jesus stir it up.  The one thing that maintains the joy of a Christian is hope and this is the season for renewing our gift. 

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