Embracing the Spirit of Love and Giving in Honoring Jesus’ Birth at Christmas
With Christmas fast approaching, many of us may find ourselves overwhelmed with the long list of tasks and preparations that must be completed before the big day. But amid the hustle and bustle, it is important to remember that the true meaning of Christmas lies in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is so much more than just gift-giving and festive decorations. It is a time to reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth and prepare our hearts and minds for the season’s joy.
So even if you feel like you need to catch up in your preparations, there are still simple methods that you can use to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. These might include praying, attending Mass, or participating in Advent traditions like lighting the Advent wreath or setting up a Nativity scene.
By taking a few moments each day to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, we can find greater peace, joy, and fulfilment in the season. So let us not get caught up in the stress and busyness of the holiday season, but instead, take time to prepare our hearts and minds for the greatest gift of all: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
1- Do not be passive
Christian waiting entails actively discerning God’s will, responding to His call, and passively waiting for God to act. In other words, it is a matter of being open to God’s guidance and acting in accordance with His plan for our lives. As Father Mike Schmitz says, hearing God’s Word at Mass is more than just listening and forgetting. Allowing the word to reach our hearts and influence our lives is essential.
We must nurture an attitude of prayer and discernment in order to be responsive to God’s summons. This entails reflecting on God’s word and seeking His guidance in all facets of our existence. It also necessitates that we are open to change and willing to venture outside of our comfort zones in order to perform what God has called us to do.
As we react to God’s call, we are a part of His plan for world salvation. We are transformed into instruments of His grace and agents of His love, conveying the Good News of salvation to others around us. Thus, instead of passively waiting for God to act, let us actively discern His will and respond with courage and confidence.
2- Make room for Christ
When the Advent season approaches, it is easy to become engrossed in the hustle and bustle of the secular Christmas season. The stress of decorating, shopping, going to parties, and preparing for family reunions can leave us feeling overwhelmed and distracted from the genuine meaning of the season. On the other hand, Father Mike Schmitz encourages us to resist the temptation to get caught up in the commotion and hurry and bustle of the holiday season.
Instead, he asks us to slow down and reflect on the joy of Jesus Christ’s arrival. This entails saying “NO” to all the extra “stuff” that diverts our attention away from Him. It entails making more place in our hearts and lives for Christ and less room for distractions that do not draw us closer to Him.
We can enjoy a deeper sense of peace, pleasure, and appreciation by consciously reducing our life and focusing on the genuine spirit of the season. We can prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival and welcome the season with reverence and enthusiasm.
Hence, this Advent season, let us heed Father Mike’s guidance and say “NO” to the secular Christmas season’s distractions. Let us make more room in our lives and hearts for Christ so that we might enjoy the true joy and meaning of this holy season.
3- Pray often
Slowing down during Advent not only allows us to reflect on the genuine meaning of the season but also allows us to connect with God on a deeper level. We can pray for direction and ask the Holy Spirit to embrace us with His love in this space.
As we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts, we feel warmth and cosiness beyond bodily comfort. This sensation represents the Holy Spirit’s eagerness to shower us with grace. We can deeply experience His calm, pleasure, and love when we open ourselves to His presence.
During the Advent season, we might understand how God is asking us to act via prayer and meditation. We can identify areas of our lives in which we need to grow in faith, hope, and charity and take practical measures toward spiritual development.
Thus, this Advent season, let us slow down and make room for God’s presence in our lives. Let us pray for direction and ask the Holy Spirit to surround us with His love. And as we trek towards Christ’s return, may we be overwhelmed by His grace and love.
A Jesus Fact For You:
Jesus went missing while travelling with His family when He was 12. Passover brought Jesus and His family to Jerusalem. After the feast, the family packed up and left Jerusalem, except for Jesus, who stayed behind. It took His family a whole day to notice He had gone missing!
After a few days of seeking, they discovered Jesus teaching in the temple. It must have been terrifying to lose God’s Son!
4- Cleanse your spirit
A confession is a great tool for preparing our hearts for Christ’s return, but it is not the only one. We can also prepare by spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and performing acts of charity and kindness for others. These practices assist us in developing a closer relationship with God and living out our religion more fully.
As we prepare for Christ’s arrival this Advent season, let us remember that it is not just about cleaning our homes or even our souls. It is about allowing God’s love to alter us and allowing Him to work in and through us. It is about being more like Christ and sharing His message of hope, peace, and love with the rest of the world.
So, let us take the time to prepare our hearts for Christ’s return through confession, prayer, scripture reading, and charitable acts. And may the joy and peace that come from knowing and loving our Savior fill us.
5- Be cheerful, no matter what
It is critical to recognize that happiness is not always easy to find, especially during difficult times. Choosing to cultivate a positive and optimistic mindset, on the other hand, can bring us closer to God’s glory and assist us in experiencing the joy and peace of the Advent season.
Rather than succumbing to negativity and pessimism, we can choose to concentrate on the positive aspects of our lives and the world around us. We can express gratitude, forgive those who have wronged us, and show others kindness and compassion. We can become beacons of hope and light in a world that can often feel dark and chaotic by doing so.
Of course, there will be times when you feel justified in being angry or upset, and that is fine. But, if we can endeavour to be happy and content even in the middle of adversity, we will grow more resilient and better able to tackle life’s obstacles.
Let’s all try to be more optimistic, slower to judge, and quicker to express kindness and compassion. Let us choose to be happy even when it appears like the universe is conspiring against us. And may we share in God’s splendour and find true joy and serenity during the Advent season.
Conclusion:
We hope this article has reminded you of the true spirit of Christmas and the importance of embracing love and giving during this special time. As we honour Jesus’ birth, let us all strive to be kinder, more generous, and more selfless so that His legacy will continue to live on in our lives. Let us show each other compassion and charity as we celebrate the holidays and remember why Jesus was born—to bring forth joy, peace, kindness, and love into our world!
The post Embracing the Spirit of Love and Giving in Honoring Jesus’ Birth at Christmas first appeared on Christmas Everyday Club and is written by Jay
