The Spirit of Christmas

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe holy season is upon us.  During this time of happiness and good tidings, some of us love to sing and say that it u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003ethe most wonderful time of the year.  At the same time, there are several others who struggle with getting into the u003cemu003espirit u003c/emu003eof Christmas.  Why is that?  Why do several people struggle with getting into the ol’ Christmas spirit?  How does one go about getting into the u003cemu003espirit u003c/emu003eof Christmas?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eGetting Into the Spirit of Christmasu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPreaching about the true meaning of Christmas is very common for me.  Why?  Because I love Christmas.  Secondly, I want everyone to be able to enjoy celebrating the birth of Christ just as much as I do.  So, when we talk about the “Christmas spirit”, I want to put emphasis on the word “spirit”.  In order for one to get into the spirit of Christmas, one must come to understand what that spirit actually is.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe struggle of getting into the spiritu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis is a thought that, believe it or not, reminds me of the “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown” TV special; Chuck spins the entirety of the 30 minute special trying to get into the Christmas spirit.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAt the start of the special, Chuck speaks with Linus about his feelings on entering into the Christmas season.  Charlie expressed to his friend that something must have been wrong with him because Christmas was coming but he was not u003cemu003ehappyu003c/emu003e.  Because he was not happy, Chuck felt like he must not have understood Christmas.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennCharlie then expressed to Linus that he did like sending Christmas cards, decorating trees, and getting presents yet, he ultimately felt u003cemu003edepressed u003c/emu003eabout Christmastime.  He grew depressed watching Snoopy decorate his doghouse to win money.  He grew more depressed when his sister asked him to write a letter to Santa just for her to want money.  Chuck eventually threw his hands in the air u003cemu003eaghast u003c/emu003eabout the commercialization and greed surrounding Christmas.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAt the climax of the special, Chuck has an outburst and loudly asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”  You see, he wanted to get into the spirit of Christmas but u003cemu003enothing u003c/emu003eof the world was getting him into the true spirit of the day.  There are many Charlie Browns in the world during this season that are depressed, sad, tired, and bitter when it comes to Christmas; they want to find and try to get into the spirit of Christmas but sadly cannot.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe world’s fix for getting into the spiritu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, I was curious as to what others would say about getting into the Christmas spirit.  I found that there is a lot of advice to get into the spirit of Christmas but most of the advice I found has little to nothing to do with the true spirit of Christmas.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSome of the advice I found said that what could help someone get into the Christmas spirit would be to decorate – put up a Christmas tree and hang Christmas lights.  Listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies and specials was also encouraged for helping to get into the spirit.  Something as simple as drinking hot chocolate was something I constantly came across that could help put someone into the Christmas spirit.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLastly, I read that setting a budget, going shopping, sending Christmas cards, baking and eating seasonal treats is good for getting into the Christmas spirit.  Now, admittedly, I can understand the sentiment behind some of these ideas.  The reason being is that I enjoy the Christmas music, TV specials, and hanging Christmas lights as well.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, there was a u003cemu003enoticeable u003c/emu003eproblem that I found with the advice.  A lot of the advice for getting into the spirit of Christmas had u003cemu003enothing u003c/emu003eto do with Christ Himself.  The advice I found could make one happy, however, the happiness and joy would be u003cemu003eseasonal u003c/emu003e— temporary.  What happens when the specials, music, and decorations go away?  People would be left with their depression, and I tell you, that is not what the spirit of Christmas is all about.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe True Spirit of Christmasu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo truly “get into the spirit of Christmas”, you u003cemu003ehave tou003c/emu003e take a look at Christ — u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/the-best-christmas-gift-ever/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00223795u0022u003ethe giving of Himu003c/au003e and the u003cemu003emanner u003c/emu003ein which Christ lived.  In understanding the giving of Christ and then the manner in which He lived, you can more fully understand the true u003cemu003espirit u003c/emu003eof Christmas.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eChrist given out of loveu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen Charlie Brown had asked if anybody knew what Christmas was truly about, Linus quieted everyone and began to speak.  Linus quoted what is written in Luke’s gospel when an angel said to the shepherds in the field, “behold, I bring you u003cemu003egood tidings of great joy u003c/emu003ewhich will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A10-11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 2:10-11u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYes, it is just a cartoon Christmas special but those behind the Christmas special understood very well what the true spirit of Christmas is; the spirit of Christmas begins and ends with u003cemu003eGod’s giving u003c/emu003eof His only begotten Son.  The true spirit of Christmas has nothing to do with the tree, lights, baked sweets, music, Kevin McAllister, the Grinch, Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, or gifts.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe must consider the giving of Christ and the reason – the purpose – that He was given.  Jesus was given to the world for the purpose of u003cemu003ebringing joy u003c/emu003enot to some people but to u003cemu003eall u003c/emu003epeople.  To Nicodemus, Jesus said that He was given to the world because God u003cemu003eloved the worldu003c/emu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 3:16u003c/au003e).  So love, as often is the case, is the answer once again; u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/love-lost-at-christmas/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00227135u0022u003eu003cemu003elove u003c/emu003eis the true spirit of Christmasu003c/au003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis love, I want you to understand, is not our idea of love (worldly love) but, again, u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003ethe love of God.  The love of God is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, is not selfish, and thinks no evil (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+13%3A5u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 13:5u003c/au003e).  As we know, the love of God is not seasonal — it is u003cemu003eeverlastingu003c/emu003e; it will never fail (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+13%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 13:8u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, if you truly want to “get into the Christmas spirit”, you must come to know this love.  To know this love, we must come to know it through Christ because He, again, is love (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 4:8u003c/au003e).  Therefore, we must follow in the manner of Christ so that the spirit of Christ lives within us and then becomes a part of our u003cemu003eeveryday u003c/emu003ewalk for a lifetime and beyond.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eBeing in Fellowship With Christu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, the best way for us to follow in the manner of Christ is by being in fellowship – in a close relationship – with Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eWalking in the lightu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe way that you and I enter into fellowship with the Lord is by loving Him and fully u003cemu003etrusting u003c/emu003ein Him.  As we see John state in my key verse for today’s sermon, we enter into fellowship with Christ when we choose to u003cemu003ewalk u003c/emu003ein the light of Christ.  Jesus, we should remember, said that u003cemu003eHeu003c/emu003e is the light of the world, and I tell you that there are great benefits to choosing to walk in His light — there are great benefits to being in fellowship with Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:pullquote u002du002du003enu003cfigure class=u0022wp-block-pullquoteu0022u003enu003cblockquoteu003eu003csupu003e7 u003c/supu003eBut if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.nnu003cciteu003eKEY VERSE – 1 JOHN 1:7 NKJVu003c/citeu003eu003c/blockquoteu003enu003c/figureu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:pullquote u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe light of Christ is a light that is u003cemu003eall u003c/emu003erevealing; it reveals what is u003cemu003ehidden u003c/emu003ein the dark.  Therefore, the light of Christ is a revealer of the truth.  To the Pharisees, when they were trying to get Jesus to stone a woman, Jesus said to them that those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of u003cemu003elifeu003c/emu003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe light of Christ is u003cemu003elife giving u003c/emu003e— what this means is that the light of Christ gives u003cemu003ehopeu003c/emu003e.  While we are present in this world, Jesus encouraged us that we should walk in the light less darkness overtake us (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A35u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 12:35u003c/au003e).  You see, when one moves in the dark, they do not know where they are going; they will stumble and they will fall repeatedly.  Therefore, being in the dark, would mean that one does not have any hope.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, when you choose to be in u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/true-fellowship-with-god-1-john-11-10/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00227177u0022u003efellowship with Christu003c/au003e, His light will u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003ebe with you.  Again I want to put emphasis on the word “always” which means that this hope is never ending.  In good or bad, the hope of Christ will be with you and that is an incredible benefit to being in a close relationship with Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eOvercoming darknessu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, John again tells us that we will have the hope to always overcome darkness.  Darkness, we should understand, is everything that is u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003eof Christ.  Darkness is u003cemu003ebitternessu003c/emu003e, hatred, and corruption; there is u003cemu003enothing u003c/emu003egood — there is no hope.  In total darkness is where sin rests and sadly there are many people who are going further and further down the well of darkness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDarkness is what causes mankind to continue to stumble over and over again because there is no sense of direction.  How can we love anybody if there is darkness in our soul?  How can we ever move in the spirit of Christ if darkness is there in our soul?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDarkness – that bitterness, hatred, and corruption – is what caused Cain to u003cemu003ehate u003c/emu003eand then murder his brother (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+4%3A6-9%3B+1+John+3%3A11-12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 4:6-9; 1 John 3:11-12u003c/au003e).  This is what darkness has led to:  parents hating their children and children hating their parents; brothers murdering brothers and sisters murdering sisters.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDarkness is why we are unable to love one another, and again, why many people struggle to be able to get into the spirit of Christ, let alone get into the spirit of Christmas.  So, darkness must be pushed out of the heart and soul of man in order for us to be able to love one another!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe push this darkness out through Christ and His light!  John wrote that the message we have heard from the beginning is that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  Therefore, those that say they are in fellowship with God, and walk in darkness, are liars and do not practice truth (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A5-6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 1:5-6u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDr. Martin L. King said, “darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate, only u003cemu003elove u003c/emu003ecan do that.”  Dr. King did not come up with this wisdom by himself, but this is a thought that is based on sound doctrine – wisdom from the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn scripture, we can see the light’s incredible power over darkness.  First in the book of Genesis, when the Lord commanded that there be light, God saw the light and said that it was good (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+1%3A4u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 1:4u003c/au003e).  When John wrote about the true Light in his gospel, John wrote that the light of Christ shines in darkness, and darkness cannot u003cemu003ecomprehendu003c/emu003e – overpower or overcome – His light (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A5u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 1:5u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAgain, if you desire to get into the spirit of Christmas and you are being weighed down by the bitterness and depression of darkness, turn to the light of Christ!  The light of Christ will give you hope and will flood out the darkness in your soul!  When we live with the light of Christ in our soul, we can move in the same manner and spirit of Christ in good and in bad.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe manner and spirit of Christu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we know very well that the manner of Christ was -u003cemu003e and isu003c/emu003e – love (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 4:8u003c/au003e); this manner of love is the spirit we ought to move by.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn Matthew 5, Jesus called for us to move with the same manner of love as He did.  Jesus called for those that would choose to follow in His manner of love to u003cemu003elove and to bless u003c/emu003ethose that hate and curse them (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+5%3A44u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 5:44u003c/au003e).  Jesus called for His disciples u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003eto fight back against those that desire to harm and to hurt them; He encouraged us to turn the other cheek (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+5%3A39u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 5:39u003c/au003e).  In other words, the manner and the spirit that we are to move with is without bitterness and without vengeance.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, being in fellowship – in a close relationship with Christ – leads to the benefit of a heart (soul) filled with u003cemu003ejoy u003c/emu003erather than a soul that is filled with hatred, bitterness, and corruption (darkness).  Even more important, this is a heart (soul) that is filled with joy not just for one season of the year but for every other season of the year!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe True Spirit of Christmasu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYou see, the true spirit of Christmas – the spirit of Christ – is not something that can simply be “turned on” like the lights in a room.  The truth of the matter is that for all of those who live in fellowship with Christ, the spirit of Christmas should u003cemu003ealwaysu003c/emu003e be with us as the spirit of Christmas is the love of God.  God’s love, we know, never goes away.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, I am not oblivious to the fact we all go through so much in a year that yes, some of us may struggle with getting into the spirit of Christmas.  Trust me, I certainly understand having gone through hard times, however, I know the power of being in fellowship with Christ and what it can do for you in those days.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIt was prophesied that the virgin would conceive a Son and shall call His name Immanuel, which means “God with us” (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is.+7%3A14%3B+Matt.+1%3A23u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIs. 7:14; Matt. 1:23u003c/au003e).  The Lord is u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003ewith us, in good and in bad.  In those days when we are struggling to find anything good – when we are struggling for hope – we must learn to turn to the Lord u003cemu003efirst u003c/emu003eand foremost.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eGiven to us through the Holy Spiritu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennGod is that hope; He is that good.  God is the one that will make us merry in our soul.  In good days and in bad days, we u003cemu003eknow u003c/emu003ethat the Spirit of God is always with us through our fellowship with the Lord.  Because the Holy Spirit is always with us, u003cemu003ewe know u003c/emu003ethat the Spirit is always working on our behalf to help us overcome darkness and to take away any bitterness that may be trying to creep within us.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo the Romans, Paul wrote that the Spirit helps us in our u003cemu003eweaknessesu003c/emu003e.  When we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, the Holy Spirit makes u003cemu003eintercession u003c/emu003efor us with groanings which cannot be uttered (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.+8%3A26u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRom. 8:26u003c/au003e).  So, I tell you today that if you want to get into the true spirit of Christmas – turn to the Holy Spirit.  When you and I turn to the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will uplift us in darkness and take away our bitterness so that we can be u003cemu003erenewed u003c/emu003eand filled with God’s joy!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennMany of us fail to recognize just how powerful a work the Holy Spirit has done all these years when it comes to Christmas.  You see, it was the work of the Holy Spirit that came upon and overshadowed Mary when she conceived in her womb Christ, our Savior (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A35u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 1:35u003c/au003e).  By the Holy Spirit coming upon us and working within us, we can always walk in the light of Christ and be in fellowship with both the Lord and all of those around us!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennBeing in fellowship with one another is another great benefit of walking in the light of Christ.  By being in fellowship with one another, we can learn to commit ourselves to one another to the benefit of each other.  Rather than moving out of selfishness, we would learn to move out of humility.  Humility is exactly what we say is the u003cemu003espirit u003c/emu003eof Christmas, right?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen we move out of humility for each other, then we would freely u003cemu003egive u003c/emu003eof ourselves to each other – this is the action of love.  Giving out of love is exactly what we say is the spirit of Christmas.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJohn wrote, “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.  The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.  Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is u003cemu003etrueu003c/emu003e in Him and in you (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A7-8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 John 2:7-8u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe spirit of Christmas does not begin after Thanksgiving.  The spirit of Christmas does not end after December 25th.  The spirit of Christmas goes beyond the Christmas tree, the garland, stockings, lights, and gifts.  You and I, in our fellowship with Christ will always have the joy, the love, and the hope of Christmas in our hearts.  We should let the spirit and manner of Christ always lift and carry us.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAgain, I tell you today that I do know what Christmas is all about and if you are struggling to get into the spirit, turn to the Son that was given.  Christ entering into your heart will be the best gift you will receive this year and for a lifetime.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e