The Gift of Love!

            People will forget what you say, forgive what you do, but will never forget how you made them feel. So, during this special season, why not make it the greatest Christmas you have ever experienced.  How?  By being a blessing to others.  Go out of your way to make people feel good about themselves.  Give them that much needed compliment.  Initiate a smile. Don’t wait for others to smile first.  Give yourself away.  Give a feeling of self-worth to someone.  Be sensitive to the countenance of others and give them a lift if that’s what is revealed to you.
            I know that it is much easier to be negative or mean.  We don’t have to work at it.  It just happens, but let’s start working at giving good feelings to others.  Especially now!  Let’s turn selfishness into selflessness by giving ourselves away.  What does it cost?  A little humility and some love mixed with a desire for peace.  It’s true, there’s no money involved just a lot of pride reduction. But, by investing our heart into the much needed love of others we send good treasure ahead for our own benefit.  Because, people will never forget how you made them feel and the blessing will be returned good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. 
            This is how Christmas got its start.  God so loved you and me that He gave Himself away.  He humbled Himself, though He was God, did not demand and cling to His rights as God, but laid aside His mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and became like men.  And He humbled Himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal’s death on a cross.  He took our place which is proof that we were on His mind.
              Our attitude should be the same that was shown by Jesus Christ.  Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.  Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.  We cannot forget that Christmas didn’t start in a shopping mall or as a retailer’s incentive to success.  It began in a manger at a lowly stall in an obscure town called Bethlehem with two humble people who had given themselves away.  Joseph and Mary had yielded their lives to the will of God during a time when taxes were high, the economy was bust, corruption was on the rise, and the government demanded a census for everyone.  Times were difficult and life for this young couple was not easy.  Nevertheless, they humbled their hearts becoming instrumental to experiencing the first ever Christmas. 
            The Christmas attitude has changed since its beginning to a more self-centered dynamic.  And this shift in attitude has turned selflessness into selfishness; at least in the world, but the spirit of Christmas remains holy and steadfast among those who remember the reason for the season.  Yes, this is the time to give the gift of love.  It will last a long time and will never be forgotten.  For more info you can visit us online at www.JoyChristianMinistries.com