Recapturing the Spirit of Christmas

A Christmas Carol by writer Charles Dickens is by far one of the most famous and common of holiday stories.  The selfish and greedy Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas with its frivolity and excesses.  Eventually, his journey with the three spirits of Christmas past, present, and yet to come, help him to see beyond the surface trappings of the holiday to experience the true meaning or spirit of Christmas.

I can’t help but wonder, however, if the accusations of Ebenezer Scrooge may not actually be justified with our modern-day holiday observances.  It is no secret that there have been public attempts to undergird the very foundation of the holiday and removing Christ from Christmas completely.  In essence, public celebration of the holiday is moving toward nothing more than those frivolous and “meaningless” absurdities despised by Mr. Scrooge.

Like Scrooge, our society desperately needs to recapture the true spirit of Christmas.  It is a spirit of hope—hope in the coming of One who embodies the spirit of the season—the One who will bring ultimate peace and joy.  It is Love come down to us in a manger; crucified, died, and buried—Love risen, ascended and interceding.  Yes, the essence of the spirit of Christmas, is the spirit of Christ.  Please journey with us this Advent season as we beseech our God to rekindle the true spirit of Christmas not only in our own hearts, but within the hearts of all mankind.   May we then, vow with Scrooge to, “honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year,”  and pray in confidence with Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone!”

Thank you...