’Tis the season of giving, with the ultimate example set for us. We celebrate Christ-mas to remember the Father giving His only Son to redeem the world back to what we lost when Adam ate the apple.
Emmanuel — God with us. Lamb of God; Jesus left heaven to be born of a virgin and live among us. It is His birth we celebrate.
This is the season of joy.
How will you celebrate this year? Will you spend it lost in bah-humbug? Or feverishly shop to shower family and friends with gifts they may never use?
If your family is like mine, they have everything they need, two or three times over.
There was a time when I knocked myself out shopping for the perfect gift for each of them, wrapping and decorating each to the max, ’til my fingers were sore.
Admittedly some in the family are grateful for anything they receive, very appreciative. But mostly it’s “Thanks” and my special gift joins a pile of returns, is stuck in the closet, or becomes re-gifted. I am not throwing off on my family, just saying 90 percent already have more than enough. Their lives are saturated with good things.
When I talk to others this time of year, in lines, in stores, in parking lots, those serving me, I don’t see a great deal of joy. Instead, I see worn out people. Edgy. In a hurry. Busy.
In the last 24 months, I have come to realize busy, even in ministry, is not a gift of the Spirit. I want more love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, and faith; not busy, rushed, and late for an important date.
Among my friends I count a guy who has no place to live come January 2, and yet he spent three days this week helping others move their goods and belongings into new homes. Back-to-back-to-back days and nights moving others without compensation — instead of out searching for a place to lay his head in a matter of weeks. That’s giving.
Another friend will routinely pay for the meals of the people in line behind her at the fast food drive-through window.
Do you want to create some simple, instant joy this Christmas? Let me suggest following her example and paying for those in line in front of or behind you. In a drive-through, coffee shop, movie theater, grocery or hardware store, anywhere. The possibilities are everywhere. We stand in line endlessly.
Yes, it takes an initial moment of courage, but the return on the investment is high. Lean in to include the cashier in on what you want to do, he or she will quickly get on board. Or with an “I’ve got that,” swipe your card with a big smile. This will always be met with a burst of joy for everyone present. This time of year I promise there is satisfaction in adding a sincere “Merry Christmas.”
In a restaurant, notice those around you and tell the waitress you want to pay for another table’s meal(s).
Another option that will step it up a notch: The next time you eat out, consider blessing your waitperson by tipping 50 or even 100 percent of your meal ticket, no strings attached. This one takes less courage, but the results are pretty big.
If you are more adventurous, make several dozen sandwich and fruit bagged lunches, drive to the downtown Wilmington library at lunchtime and hand them out to the homeless who gather there. Not good in the kitchen? Hot pizza or chicken biscuits will go over well. Do even more and take a stack of new blankets, or hoodies or clean socks and dispense those at the same time.
Programs, soup kitchens and the host of ministries to the least of these are wonderful options, but you don’t have to join one to be your own little joy program and ministry of one. It begins with you taking action.
And it is contagious. Do it once and you’ll want to do it again.
Too shy to step out on your own? Enlist a friend or coworkers and get to it.
The Good Book says we are to do good unto others, loving them more than we do ourselves.
This is the Spirit of Christmas.
Go spread the joy.
