a chat with the pastor: The Spirit of CHRISTMAS is the Spirit of CHRIST

“As the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” -- John 15:9-11

There’s a little holiday somewhere between Cyber Monday and New Year’s Eve we call Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Some Christians refuse to celebrate the holiday, pointing out that we don’t know the actual day he was born. True enough, but for most of us isn’t so much a day, or even a season. It’s really about a particular spirit. Christmas has a right spirit, and it is the Spirit of Christ. And if that’s so, then true Christmas spirit should have something to do with the one whose birth we celebrate.

We all know the other Christmas spirit – the one that’s measured by how much you spend at the stores, how early your tree’s up and how many parties you’re invited to. Each of these Christmas spirits brings its own set of consequences. The shopping spirit delivers the thrill of finding just the right gift, but also the hassle of long lines and credit card bills; the decorating spirit provides the chance for creativity and the pride of showing off your multicolored neon disco-flashing manger scene; and the partying spirit can bring people together to eat, drink, and merrily discuss everyone who couldn’t make it to the party.

But true Christmas spirit is something different and deeper, because it is the Spirit of Christ. Mighty God in humble form; babe asleep in the manger but also awake and aware everywhere; Creator becoming Created and entering Creation; Author of Life who dies to slay Death. That Christ. The one who surprises us with a love that goes beyond what we expect or deserve. What? The Christ who healed the sick, preaching good news to the poor? The one who ate and drank with sinners and was killed for making powerful people uncomfortable? That Christ? What does that Christ have to do with this holiday we’re all getting ready for?

Well, first off, the true Christmas spirit which is the Spirit of Christ is JOYFUL. Jesus prayed for us all that “my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). This joy comes from knowing God, as intimately as you would know any friend or family member. Jesus called God “father” and spoke to him as easily and naturally as you and I might talk with one another. Plans for the holidays falling apart? Relax! Can’t find the perfect present for that special someone? Rejoice! Christmas spirit finds joy knowing we are in God’s hands, and it’s not up to us to make it all work out. We sing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”…but the Lord HAS come, right? So shouldn’t the whole world be joyful already?

Second, the Spirit of Christ is CARING. Jesus left the comforts of heaven to come and share God’s love with us because he knew how much we all needed it. We still do. Though many people are surrounded by supportive friends and a loving family, there are some who feel entirely alone. Some of our dining tables are loaded with goodies while others go hungry. Some of us had a perfect check-up at the doctors while others received bad news. Mary gave birth in a stable – hardly the perfect place for the King of Kings to come into the world, but then again what an ideal picture of the fragility of our lives and the brokenness of our world! The Spirit of Christ bears the message to the world that we are all brothers and sisters, as beautiful and vulnerable as that child who was born for us. The Spirit of Christmas cares about those in need, and spreads God’s love in hope-full words and deeds of love.

Finally, the Spirit of Christ is GIVING. God did not make a “naughty” and “nice” list to determine who received his grace – it comes to us unconditionally through our faith in the giving Spirit of Christ - He who gave his whole life for our salvation. Can we recapture the wide-eyed wonder of a child on Christmas morning by remembering the greatest gift of all – that God calls us his children and blesses us daily with all we need and more? Can we give more than just presents, but also our presence to those we care about? Can we hear the message of the angels, that peace on earth and goodwill to all are more than a pipe-dream – they are God’s will for the world, Christ’s mission, and the daily work of our lives?

Christ calls us all to be disciples and messengers (“angels”) of his Good News to the world. That work is not easy, and often forces us to change our attitudes and make more room in our hearts for others. Offering our time to God means it is not our agenda but his in control of our schedules. Offering our talents, we turn from our own worries and look at the needs of others. Offering our treasures means we have Christ-centered checkbooks and budgets that reflect God’s values. We find that in giving and caring our joy really is made complete. As you give and serve and worship this season, may it be the Spirit of Christ which grow in you and the gift of His grace that fills you with joy and love. Blessings to you and yours from our family, and your family of faith at Atonement.