We’ve all seen it in movies, heard it in songs and even said it ourselves, but what is the real meaning of “The Spirit of Christmas?” For believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of all, the spirit of Christmas is the celebration of His human birth into this world that would eventually lead Him to a cross where his blood would be poured out as a sacrificial death and atonement for our sins and reconciliation with God. His death and resurrection would provide the way to eternal life for all who will believe upon Him and surrender their lives completely to Him.
That first Christmas was the ultimate gift that has ever been given. Thus, the spirit of Christmas is the supernatural gift of eternal life given through the love of God to all who will believe.
As Howard W. Hunter said: “If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees–alone or with loved ones–give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments. He will take you by the hand and His promises will be kept.”
Katherine J. Walden put it this way: “Christmas has a deeper significance to followers of Jesus. It’s not all about the gifts underneath Christmas trees or the elaborate meals served in extravagantly decorated homes. Christmas is the season of Immanuel. We celebrate the good news that He is near, He cares for us, and that He transforms lives. His presence was the greatest present God gave mankind. May we be present carriers of that presence!”
While there is no comparison to Christ’s gift, what we do during the Christmas season is reflective of that first gift and sheds light to a greater implication of the spirit of Christmas.
Ruth Carter Stapleton said: “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.”
Toni Sorenson adds, “The true Christmas spirit is putting others’ happiness before our own, and finding you’ve never known such happiness.”
George Matthew Adams said, “Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide-open heart that thinks of others first.”
The spirit of Christmas is found in the giving and sharing Christ’s love with others – family, friends and especially those in need.
Perhaps no greater example of this is what has occurred during the past few weeks in LaSalle Parish. There have been multiple events where people have exemplified the spirit of Christmas in various ways.
This week you will read in this newspaper of the Angel Tree Christmas Program and the La-Salle Parish School System’s APPLES program, but there are many other examples that will never make headlines.
For instance, LaSalle General Hospital held their Christmas event recently where they provided fish plates and gifts to needy families, churches have held events providing free food and gifts and all four LaSalle Parish towns all held their senior citizen Christmas suppers giv- ing back to our seasoned residents.
There is no way to find out or share the countless acts of love and kindness that have occurred during this month and the many ways groups, organizations, families and individuals have participated in the spirit of Christmas.
But alas, if you have not had the opportunity to get in on the spirit of Christmas but want to join the thousands of LaSalle residents who have already participated, there are still five more days before Christmas. If we will all look around with an attentive eye, we will see there are opportunities everywhere.
It could be as simple as paying for a meal at a restaurant or as extravagant as inviting someone less fortunate to your home for your family’s Christmas meal. It could be the simple act of inviting someone to a church event or something bigger, like buying a vehicle for a single, struggling mom. The opportunities for sharing the love and kindness of Christ are endless right here in LaSalle Parish.
Listen to the words of one of the most popular Christmas season figures: “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ‘til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” – Dr. Seuss Yes, the spirit of Christmas really is “a little bit more.” In fact, it’s a whole lot more. It’s the very act of putting others above ourselves and going out of our way to share love, joy, peace and goodwill to everyone we come in contact with.
Finally, I leave you with the words of the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge: “Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”
From all of us at this newspaper, from our families to yours, we pray you each have a blessed Christmas filled with the true Spirit of Christmas.
